Peggy (Heslop) Strockis

Peggy L. Heslop Strockis was born July 4, 1927, in Neosho Falls, Kansas. Peggy died September 17, 2024, in Gold River, California.

Peggy (Mom) left Kansas at 16 to join her parents and brother in Carmel, California. She lived in California from that point onward, except for two years spent in Arkansas.

Mom worked as an interior decorator for Sears for 23 years, a career she loved, especially designing for others. Despite her busy schedule, she always found time for my brother and I-whether serving as PTA president at our elementary school, leading my Blue Bird group, or taking us to the archery range with Dad to teach us the art of archery.

In 1980, as a single woman, she met Tony Strockis. They married and soon began traveling the world. It was wonderful to see this new side of Mom-singing on cruise ships, writing and recording her own songs. Her love for learning and music led her to attend college, where she earned her associate degree at the age of 72. She was unstoppable!

We were fortunate to have her close to us for the last 12 years of her life. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren saw her often, and I loved seeing the joy on her face when she met and held her newest great-grandsons. You will be missed, Mama, but never forgotten.

Preceded in death by her husband, Tony Strockis; her parents, Fred and Bessie Heslop; and her siblings and their spouses: Marjorie (Howard), Betty Hill (Bill), and Daryl Heslop (Jan).

She is survived by her son, Patrick Kelley, and partner, Adelle Ulner; her daughter, Diana, and husband, Robert; her grandchildren, Christopher Caruso, Brianna Thompson (Ryan), and Alisha Taylor (Brooks); her great-grandchildren, Will, Max, Jacob, and John Henry; cousins,and many generations of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service is planned for Friday, October 4, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 US Highway 54, Iola, Kansas. Burial will follow at Cedar Vale Cemetery in Neosho Falls, Kansas. Memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, and left in the care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.