Stokes, Peggy

Peggy Stokes of Iowa City passed away the morning of Jan. 9, 2010, at home with her family, six months after her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Peggy was born in 1943 and was raised by Ben and Helen Tylee in rural Springville, Iowa. The love and respect she learned from her upbringing on the farm was a core joy throughout the rest of her life. In 1959, Peggy married Wil Drymon and they had three children, Marcia Parman of Cedar Rapids, Lisa Greene of Hiawatha and Jeff Drymon (Angie) of Alburnett. On March 4, 1989, she married John Stokes in San Juan, Puerto Rico. They enjoyed seven grandchildren, Amy Leavitt (John) of San Diego, Calif., Ben Parman of Conway, Ark., Kelsey Parman of Beloit, Wis., Elizabeth Greene of Cedar Rapids, Erin Drymon of Alburnett, Steven Greene of Hiawatha and Kay Drymon of Alburnett. Her latest family joy is great-granddaughter, Jane Leavitt of San Diego; and another great-grandchild expected in June.

Peggy received a B.A. in social work from the University of Iowa and a MSW from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For the past 23 years, she was a medical social worker at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Pediatric Center for Disabilities and Development. She co-founded the UIHC Sib Ship, which continues to meet after 20 years. Peggy was deeply devoted to world peace and was recently honored by the Peace Center for her 5-year dedication to Friday night peace vigils in Iowa City.

Peggy's love extended to other friends and family, including mother-in-law, Grace Glim; sister, Ginny Brown (Wayne); brothers, Denny Clifton (Chris) and Steven Mason (Marilyn); John's three sisters and brother, Pam, Nickie, Gabrielle and Bob; his aunt, Sister Catherine Glim; friends, Rich Horner and Anne Tabor; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family extends their appreciation to Dr. Adelaide Gurwell, Dr. Nelson Yee, Geri Quinn, the staff at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Palliative Care Unit at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Caring Hands, VNA, Hospice of Iowa City and all the friends and neighbors who assisted in Peggy's care giving.

A Remembrance of Peggy will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with Hospice of Iowa City, Doctors Without Borders and Heifer International. Memorials may be directed c/o the funeral home, PO Box 167, Iowa City, IA 52244.

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