Margaret "Peggy" L. (Bird) Cassity

Margaret was born April 18, 1927 in Emporia, Kansas, the daughter of Charles E. and Mabel Octavia (Suddock) Bird. She grew up in Benedict, Kansas and attended Benedict schools, graduating as the class Valedictorian.

She later married Theodore (Ted) Cassity from the neighboring town of Fredonia, Kansas. Shortly after they were married, Ted joined the U.S. Army and served overseas during World War II. When Ted returned home, they moved to Wichita, Kansas and started their family having four children. Margaret worked at the Haysville State Bank and at Boeing in Wichita, KS. When her younger two children were born, she became a homemaker; and was very active in their school activities.

Margaret’s daughter Susan tells an interesting story about her mom as a young lady. “Peggy” was very talented and played the piano in the Benedict Methodist Church, as well as several other instruments. She learned about a music contest in Emporia, Kansas and applied to compete, and won the contest. It happened that Life Magazine was there and wanted to do a story about her after she won. She had many photographs taken to accompany the article. However, just before the article was to publish in the next edition, there was a huge announcement that World War II had ended, which became their lead story in the magazine. The article then about her Mother never got published.

At the age of 48, Margaret decided to pursue a career in nursing, as she always had been interested in caring for older people. She attended nursing school and got her L.P.N. license, then worked for several years in nursing homes in the Wichita area.

Ted worked at Boeing Company in Wichita, and was later transferred to New Orleans, then to Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Missouri. Margaret and the family got to see and experience a lot of the country at that time. When Ted retired from Boeing, he and Margaret moved to Whidbey Island, Washington where they enjoyed living close to the ocean for seven years before returning to Kansas. The two spent many years together traveling in their RV all over the United States.

Margaret is preceded in death by her husband Ted of 61 years, and her son, Terry.

She is survived by her three daughters and son-in-laws: Susan and Jim Correll of Coffeyville, KS, Cheryl and Phil Weitzel of Wichita, KS, and Catherine and Mike Troxel of Renton, WA.

She is survived also by four granddaughters, three grandson-in-laws, two grandsons, one grand-daughter-in-law, and nine great-grandchildren.

A Private Graveside Remembrance will take place. Celebration of her Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Margaret’s name may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 7829 E. Rockhill St. #403, Wichita, Kansas 67206 or Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N. Hillside St., Wichita, Kansas 67219.

Arrangements have been entrusted with Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services – Wichita.