Peggy Brown

Aug. 13, 1931 -- March 22, 2010 Peggy Joyce Starling died on Monday, March 22, 2010. She was 78. Born Aug. 13, 1931, in Hobbs, N.M., the only child of Hoyt and Pat Starling, her early years were spent in Hobbs, where their home was one of 10 on Atlantic Oil Company property 13 miles from town. Peggy’s early playmates were baby rabbits and ground squirrels, dogs, cats and chickens. Her dad often brought home lost or injured baby animals for her to nurse back to health until they could be released, which established a love of biology and medicine that she held for life. The family moved to Seminole, Texas, in 1941, where Peggy attended grade school and graduated from Seminole High School in 1948. During her high school years, she was very active in vocal choir, instrumental bands and student government, and was an accomplished pianist who served for three years as musician at the First Methodist Church in Seminole. She attended North Texas State University in Denton, Texas, and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in education and arts. Peggy met Lee W. Brown on a blind date when she was in her junior year at NTSU; they fell in love and were married July 28, 1951, in Seminole. Peggy finished her senior year of college while Lee was employed at Chance Vought Aircraft Company in Dallas, Texas. After Peggy’s graduation in 1952, they moved to Phoenix, Ariz., where three of their children were born. In 1958, the family moved to Palo Alto, Calif., where Lee was employed at Lockheed Space and Missile Corporation. Their fourth child was born in Palo Alto in 1962. In 1966, Lee left Lockheed, and he and Peggy started their own business in home remodeling, with Peggy acting as designer, decorator, purchaser and all-around helper for Lee and their growing business. She was also very involved in their children’s activities and interests, and in PTA, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, church choir and many other volunteer organizations. She was an active member of the PEO Sisterhood for many years, both in Palo Alto and Corvallis. In 1978, Peggy and Lee sold their home remodeling business and moved to Corvallis, where they built a new home and began another phase of their lives. Peggy enjoyed her new home and garden, her hours of volunteering at Good Samaritan Hospital, and a new circle of friends. She also enjoyed her 16 years of employment as purchasing clerk for the Benton County Health Department, retiring in 1996. She loved family trips around the United States, and to China, Hong Kong and France. Peggy and her husband enjoyed 52 years of marriage, until his death in 2003. She is survived by her daughter Vicki and her husband, Tim Johnson; Vicki’s son and daughter, Sean and Erin Fairchild of Mill Creek, Wash.; her daughter Nancy and her husband, Mark Nebeker, of Portland; her son Tim Brown and his wife, Amy; and her son Bill Brown and his wife, Patty, of Eugene. At Peggy’s request, no service will be held, but she requested that friends wishing to express remembrance do so through a charity organization of their own choice, or to Heartland Humane Society of Corvallis.

Peggy Brown

August 13, 1931 - March 22, 2010