MARGUERITE “PEGGY” B. GATES, 90, of The Brennity in Vero Beach passed away Monday, February 23, 2015 at the Florida Baptist Retirement Center in Vero Beach. Peggy was born in Richford, Vermont to the late William C. and Hazel (nee Wright) Bliss. After graduation from high school, she attended and graduated from Green Mountain College in Vermont. Following graduation Peggy worked as a medical technologist. But while in Worcester, Massachusetts she met her love Ralph Gates and together they forged a marriage that spanned 68 years. Peggy and Ralph became seasonal residents of the Treasure Coast in 1988 coming from Pittsfield, Massachusetts. They first lived in Spanish Lakes Country Club Village before moving to Campbridge Park which led them to The Brennity at Pointe West as full time residents. Peggy was a member of Community Church in Vero Beach and a member of the PEO Chapter L in Pittsfield. She was a Square and Round Dancer and recently she and Ralph enjoyed ballroom dancing at The Brennity. Peggy was always appreciative of the art community as she herself was known as an accomplished water color artist.
Survivors include her loving husband Ralph L. Gates; beloved sons and daughter-in-laws Richard W. and Eileen Gates of Blandford, Massachusetts and David A. and Louise Gates of Surry, New Hampshire; adored grandchildren Gregory Gates and Audrey Gordon; precious great-grandson Desmond Gates; dear brother Frederick W. Bliss of Georgia, Vermont and her dearest friend and sister Carol and brother-in-law Richard Morrison of Vero Beach.
A Life Celebration Service for Peggy will begin at 11 AM, Friday, February 27, 2015 at Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach with a reception following at The Plaza Reception Center in Vero Beach. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Church, 1901 23rd Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960 Strunk Funeral Home (2/25/15)
VIRGINIA BROPHY HENNESSY, “SISSY,” passed away on February 16, 2015 at the age of 91 in Vero Beach, Florida, with family at her side.Sissy was born Virginia Katherine Ward on September 2, 1923, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Harry T. Ward Sr. and Virginia K. Smith. When Sissy was young the family moved to Detroit where she graduated from Cooley High School. She went on to Michigan State University, graduated with a degree in Social Work and later taught Home Economics at Columbus Elementary School in Detroit.Sissy married Rex L. Brophy in 1948 and they shared 52 years of loving marriage before his death in February of 2000. Sissy and Rex resided in Grosse Pointe Shores for many years, and later in Grosse Pointe Farms. In the 1970’s they discovered the allure of John’s Island. For years they spent part of every winter there enjoying golf and the company of many wonderful friends. Sissy and Rex moved to John’s Island permanently in the late 1990’s. After Rex died, Sissy met the second love of her life, Matthew Joseph Hennessey. Sissy and Matt shared a love of world travel and a wonderful marriage for 10 years before Matt’s death in 2011.
Sissy enjoyed skiing, golf, travel and especially people. She nurtured many life-long friendships. Known for her warmth, caring attention to friends, sharp wit and easy sense of humor, Sissy was loved for the manner in which she lit up a room. She was a member of the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, the Detroit Golf Club, the Otsego Ski Club, the John’s Island Golf Club and the Bent Pine Golf Club. Sissy was a devoted wife, sister, aunt and great aunt to her extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Harry T. Ward Jr. and husbands Rex Brophy and Matt Hennessey. Sissy is survived by sister-in-law Carol Ward; brother and sister-in-law, James and Margaret Brophy; 7 nieces and nephews; and 16 great nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 500 Iris Ln., Vero Beach, Fla. 32963, on Friday, February 27, 2015, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm with a prayer service at 6:30pm. A private funeral mass with the family will be celebrated later. Donations in Sissy’s memory may be sent to Holy Cross Catholic Church. Strunk Funeral Home (2/25/15)
JOSEPH (JOE) MAGUIRE, 77, of Vero Beach, passed away on February 21, 2015. He is survived by his wife Veronica (Kelly) Maguire of Vero Beach; daughters Maureen Maguire Connolly of Port Jefferson, NY, Kathleen Maguire of New York, NY and Eileen Maguire Galbraith of Tarpon Springs, FL; sons, Sean Maguire of Austin, TX and Michael Maguire of Brentwood, CA; and ten grandchildren.
Joe was born in Manhattan, NY. Joe and Kelly split their time between Vero Beach and Calabash, NC for the past 16 years, coming from Lindenhurst, NY and then Manorville, NY. Joe was a United States Marine veteran and a retired Lieutenant of the NYFD. Joe and Kelly were married for 57 years. Throughout his life, Joe had a love of boating and the water, and in retirement, golfing and sharing time with his family and many friends. He loved keeping physically fit by walking the SR 60 bridge most days.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to VNA Hospice House, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, February 28th, at St. Helen Catholic Church at 12pm at 2000 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960.Strunk Funeral Home (2/25/15)
MARY CIACCI SNOWEDN, 51, of Vero Beach, FL passed away Sunday, February 22, 2015 at her home. She was born March 9, 1963 in Vero Beach, FL the daughter of the late Edward and Shirley Mae Roske. Mary worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for Home Health in Vero Beach. She attended St. Helen Catholic Church.
Ms. Snowden is survived by one son; Reed Snowden of Vero Beach; two sisters and three bothers; Marlene Roske, of Vero Beach and Karen Ciacci of Clarksville, GA. Mike, Ray and John Roske all of Vero Beach. Former husband Scott Snowden of Vero Beach also survives. She was preceded in death by one brother, Eddie Roske.
Friends may come to the visitation from 1 – 2pm on Saturday, February 28, at the Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM, with a Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3 PM, Saturday February 28, 2015 at Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory in Vero Beach with interment to follow in Crestlawn Cemetery.The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to the American Diabetes Society. Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home (2/25/15)
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