Peggy Frances Whippo

Peggy Frances Whippo (née Connelly), a longtime resident of Arlington, Washington, passed away on September 25, 2024, at the age of 98. Peggy was born on August 6, 1926, in Seattle, Washington, where she was raised and spent her formative years.

Growing up on Queen Anne Hill, Peggy was deeply connected to the Seattle community. She graduated from Queen Anne High School in 1944. Peggy's roots in the Puget Sound area ran deep, with her mother and father having lived on Queen Anne since the early 1900s. Her father and grandfather played significant roles in shaping the neighborhood, building many of the older homes that now grace Queen Anne Hill and Magnolia.

Peggy's connection to Seattle's history extended even further back. Her paternal grandfather was a Volunteer Seattle firefighter who bravely fought in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, a pivotal event that reshaped the city. This legacy of civic duty and resilience was a source of family pride and helped forge Peggy's strong bond with her hometown.

Adding to her family's rich history in the region, Peggy's maternal grandfather was a prominent figure in the early development of Washington. He owned a rock quarry in the San Juan Archipelago and ran a hotel in Port Townsend during the territorial days before Washington achieved statehood. This entrepreneurial spirit and connection to the broader Washington Territory deepened Peggy's ties to the area's growth and transformation.

Peggy pursued her passion for the arts, earning a degree in Art History from the University of Washington. This academic foundation led to a fulfilling position as a Docent at the Seattle Art Museum, where she worked for many years. Her dedication to art and culture enriched not only her life but also the lives of countless museum visitors whom she guided through the world of fine art.

In a serendipitous encounter just days before Christmas in 1945, Peggy met her future husband, Harold Whippo. Their whirlwind romance led to marriage on January 9, 1946, marking the beginning of a union that would last for 64 years until Harold's passing in 2010.

Peggy was a loving mother to four children: Bruce (Jo), Sherry, Scott (Olga), and Vance. Her legacy extends to eight grandchildren: Wendy, Tamera, Tracy, Ross, Ashleigh, Jacob, Nicholai, and Lukas. She was also blessed with five great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, a testament to the enduring family bonds she nurtured throughout her life.

Peggy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harold, and her two oldest children, Bruce and Sherry. Her strength in facing these losses was inspiring to all who knew her.

Peggy witnessed nearly a century of change throughout her long and fulfilling life, from the great stock market crash of 1929 to the digital age. Her experiences, rooted in the history of Seattle and spanning across generations, made her a cherished repository of family and local history. Her work at the Seattle Art Museum allowed her to share her knowledge and appreciation for art with the community she loved.

Peggy will be remembered for her resilience, deep connection to her Northwest roots, passion for art, and lasting impact on her family and community. Her life story, intertwined with her grandfather's heroic efforts during the Great Seattle Fire, is woven into the fabric of Queen Anne and the greater Puget Sound area, leaving an indelible mark on the place she called home for so many years.

She is survived by her sons Scott and Vance, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, who will carry forward her legacy of love, strength, and community spirit.

A memorial service celebrating Peggy's life will be held at her home on October 12, 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Seattle Art Museum or the Portland Shriners Hospital for Children, in Peggy's memory, to honor her lifelong love of art and children.