Peggy Ruth Edwards-Vasquez

Peggy Ruth was born in Chiriqui, Republica de Panama, on November 18, 1933 to Petrona Dorman and Charles Higgins. She was the 4th of 7 children, having 3 older sisters and 3 younger brothers, who pre-deceased her. She was married to the late Ricardo E. Vasquez and this union produced her only child, Ileana Guadalupe.

Peggy Ruth migrated to Brooklyn, NY and received a high school diploma from Boys and Girls High. Once that was accomplished, my mother was able to pursue her education and nursing career. She received her LPN degree from Central School for Practical Nursing. She received her RN degree from Kings County Nursing School and her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences from Brooklyn College.

Peggy was a dedicated Nurse working at Coney Island Hospital, Kings County Hospital and private duty cases. She worked in Pediatrics at Kings County Hospital for many years and then became a Supervisor in the Department of Rehabilitation. Due to injuries from injuries at work, she retired. She was also a licensed Real Estate Agent and that is how she learned about GDC where she became familiar with Florida and Port Saint Lucie. After the passing of her sister Sylvia, Peggy decided to relocate to Port St. Lucie in 1989, thinking that she would retire. Instead, she worked as a private duty nurse for several years before retiring for good.

Peggy Ruth was a devout Catholic, who sang in the church choirs in NY and FL. She was a founding member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister for several years. She was also a member of a prayer group: Consolador.

Peggy was a loving and cheerful person. She was very encouraging to all pursuing educational and career goals. She was fiercely independent, self-assured, steadfast in her beliefs and loyal. Anyone that knew her knows of her love for plants, which is a hobby she began as a little girl. She also loved animals, having had a variety of pets over the years, particularly her cockatiels, rabbits, German Sheperd Scorpio and finally the love of her life, Queen Sheba. She was very creative as well. She was an avid sewer, crocheter, and designer of wreaths, hats, cloths and party favors.

In her later years, she suffered with Alzheimer’s and was wheelchair bound. We were blessed to find Albert’s Manor and Service Inc., whose proprietor Ms. Pauline Robinson and staff took excellent care of my mother. While there, she was pampered and spoiled as she deserved to be, until her last day.

Peggy is survived by: her daughter, Ileana and granddaughter Ilyana Mari. Her Sis, Spence; “adopted daughters” Averil, Ann and Shelly; her son-in-law Celestine and a multitude of cousins, nephews and nieces, godchildren, “grandchildren” and friends who will all miss her greatly.

She is predeceased by her parents; sisters: Silvia, Rosa, and Virginia; brothers: Ivan, Jesse and Ernesto: and her granddaughter Celina Rebecca.