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Peggy Prihoda

April 6, 1930 - August 14, 2021
Kalamazoo, MI

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Visitation

Monday, September 13, 2021
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
St. Thomas More Catholic Church
421 Monroe Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
Web Site

Mass of Christian Burial

Monday, September 13, 2021
11:00 AM EDT
St. Thomas More Catholic Church
421 Monroe Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Centrica Care Navigators
7100 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 345-0273
Driving Directions
Web Site

St. Jude Children's Hospital
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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When reflecting on the life of Margaret Prihoda, it is easy to see her unwavering strength and her unconditional love for her family. She was a shining example of kindness, traditional values, determination, and she was always willing to help others. Peggy truly understood the value of hard work, her life an inspiration to many. She treasured her loved ones above all else, and her caring spirit touched the lives of those around her. Deeply loved, Peggy will be dearly missed.

The 1930s are often recalled as some of the most trying days our nation has faced as the entire decade was held firmly in the grip of the Great Depression. Despite the trials around them, John and Helen (Harrison) Lynch were able to shift their focus to an exciting time in their lives as they welcomed Margaret into their family. Margaret Louise Lynch was born on April 6, 1930 and most of her life, she was affectionately known as Peggy.

Growing up, Peggy was a typical young girl of her generation in many ways. She was raised in a family that was based on the traditions and teachings of the Catholic faith in their loving home in Jackson alongside her older sister, Mary Ann. Peggy’s father supported the family by working in management for Spartan Electronics. Her mother worked as a homemaker, dedicating herself to her family and tending to the house. Peggy fell in love with ice skating at a young age, and she adored the ice skater, Sonja Henie. In fact, Peggy owned a Sonja Henie doll and she enjoyed watching all figure skaters and competitions. Through the years, she followed other skating icons such as Peggy Fleming and Michelle Kwan. Growing up Peggy cared for the family dog, Babbo. Though Babbo was originally the neighbor’s dog, he always gravitated towards Peggy and the Lynch house so the family ended up adopting him. Peggy talked about Babbo and how wonderful he was for the rest of her life.

Throughout her childhood, Peggy attended local Catholic schools. She consistently strove for success, and her education allowed her to build the foundation for the strong work ethic that would serve her well for her entire life. Peggy graduated from St. John High School in Jackson and went on to study business at Nazareth College, ready to move on to bigger and better things.

New and exciting changes were on the horizon for Peggy when she met Jim Prihoda on a blind date. The two dated for a couple of years and on October 27,1951 they were married at St. John Church in Jackson. The newlyweds enjoyed a honeymoon to Niagara Falls before settling into a home in Kalamazoo. Within a couple of years the young couple would start a family.

Of all the things Peggy loved in life, she treasured her family above all else. Over the years, she and Jim were overjoyed to welcome their six beloved children as the Prihoda family grew to include Mary, Jim, Laurie, Peter, Patrick, and John. Peggy devoted herself to her children and chose to remain close to her family as a homemaker. She was always a supportive mother and participated in school and sporting activities. Peggy’s children became her entire life, and she was so very proud of all of their accomplishments. Later in life, Peggy was thrilled to become a grandmother and even a great-grandmother. She took these roles very seriously and did her best to teach her grandchildren and great-grandchildren by example. She always was a Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, looking out for their well-being, happiness, and putting their needs above her own until the day she died.

Nothing brought Peggy greater joy than spending time with her loved ones. She met her dear friend, Dee Williams, through her children and they quickly formed a lifelong friendship. Dee worked as a food supervisor for Kalamazoo Public Schools, and she was able to get Peggy a job working in the same system. Peggy enjoyed the job and worked for several years. She especially loved her co-workers and interacting with people. Peggy and Dee enjoyed taking annual trips to Quebec, and the two were loyal and the best of friends.

In her free time, Peggy pursued many hobbies to keep herself busy. With a big family she spent a lot of time in the kitchen, and she was known to be a creative cook who could stretch the budget. Peggy loved cooking around the holidays and strove to make Christmas and Easter special. Everyone loved her nut horn cookies and creamed potatoes. She was able to pass many of her own traditions down to other generations. Peggy was proud of her Irish heritage and loved all things Irish. She admired lighthouses and appreciated their historical value. She enjoyed visiting them whenever possible and collecting lighthouse mementos. She was an avid Bridge player and participated in a Bridge club, and she also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles. Peggy loved dancing whenever she could for as long as she was able. Her favorite movie was Gone with the Wind, and she also liked to watch the Hallmark Channel. Peggy loved reading anything from history books to mystery novels. She was a skilled seamstress and would often make clothes and Halloween costumes for her children and grandchildren.

Later in life, Peggy moved to Leisure Point Condominiums where she would live for more than 20 years. She enjoyed living with wonderful neighbors and making friends. In her late 80’s she started to show the signs of dementia but Peggy never lost her insatiable zest for life or her incredible sense of humor. Thanks to the help of family and friends, she was able to remain in her own home for the rest of her life.

As family and friends can attest, Margaret Prihoda truly understood the secret to a life well lived. She was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times. Peggy was known for her sense of humor, and with sayings such as “And this too shall pass” and "Remember, what a difference a day makes” she reminded others to stay positive and looked on the bright side. She treasured her friends, and she considered herself blessed to be surrounded by so many beloved family members. Though she will be dearly missed, Peggy leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will proudly carry on in her footsteps.

Margaret “Peggy” Prihoda died on Saturday, August 14, 2021 with loving family members by her side. Members of her family include her six children: Mary (Pat) Weitekamp of Kalamazoo; Jim Prihoda, Jr.(Gale Heacock) of Parchment; Laurie (Ed) Walter of Richland; Pete (Pam) Prihoda of Portage; Patrick (Eileen) Prihoda of Howell, and John (Lisa) Prihoda of Kalamazoo; and by 11 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Jim in 2007, granddaughter Meghan, and her sister Mary Ann. Cremation has taken place. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am on Monday, September 13, at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish, 421 Monroe Street. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visit Peggy’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos and sign her guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Hospice Care of SW Michigan. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.

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