Obituary

Margaret “Peggy” Irene Cole Hall Stickler passed away at the age of 99 on September 16, 2024. She lived a life of no regrets and wanted to be just who she was.

Peggy was born June 7, 1925 in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Emmet and Irene Cole. She spent much of her childhood in Omaha, Nebraska with her siblings Vinny and Bill. Peggy flourished when her family moved to Chicago, where she lived until she graduated from Mundelein College (now part of Loyola University Chicago). Her time in Chicago was spent ice skating on Lake Michigan, attending Cubs games, going dancing, and riding the L while exploring the city.

A trailblazer, Peggy attended college in the 1940s where she studied Home Economics because, as she said “they didn’t offer journalism.” In a time when it was not common for women to go to college and have careers, Peggy always knew she wanted to work in journalism. After graduating college, she moved with her family to California where she began working at the LA Mirror. Her Home Economics degree enabled her to get a job in the newspaper’s food department where she got to test her journalism skills.

As she put it, one day at work she noticed a tall red-headed man and knew then and there she would marry him. In 1955, David Hall and Peggy Cole were married and she moved to Corona del Mar to live with him and become step-mother to Doug and Martha. Their family grew as they brought Irene, Mary, Chris, and Annie into the world together.

While raising kids, Peggy went back to school and obtained her Master’s Degree from Cal State Fullerton, after which she began teaching journalism at Los Alamitos High School. Over the years, she continued her journalism career working at the Daily Pilot and eventually retiring in 1995 from the OC Register. Peggy’s inquisitive mind and drive to make her career dreams come true inspired many to follow her footsteps.

Peggy spent her adult life in Southern California, where she fell in love with the ocean, the Dodgers, and the bustling OC area. She loved playing cards and taught her grandchildren how to play Poker and Yahtzee. After 45 years of marriage, Peggy lost her beloved husband Dave. She later married Harry Stickler and spent many happy times with him, in which he took her out dancing and celebrating their love. Over the years, Peggy’s door remained open for friends and family to drop by and say hello, have a cup of coffee, or join her going out to lunch (and inevitably fight over who got to pay the check).

Peggy had a peaceful passing at home surrounded by loved ones. In her final days she shared that she was “flying through the infinite abyss without it imploding…the stars are out.”

She will be remembered as a cunning card player, witty conversationalist, a loving mother and grandmother, and the epitome of “home” for many. She is survived by four children, 20 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.

A memorial reception will be held October 12th, 2024 at 12:00 pm at the home of Chris & Mary Sarris. In lieu of flowers & donations, please play a round of cards in Peggy’s honor.