Rhona M. Milich

Rhona M. Milich

February 11, 1924 - August 07, 2013

Rhona M. Milich

February 11, 1924 - August 07, 2013

Obituary

RHONA MARGARET (PEGGY) MILICH
Born February 11, 1924
Went Home August 7, 2013

Her Funeral Service will be at
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church
105 N. La Esperanza, San Clemente at
12:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Peggy is survived by four children, Valory Lantry Donald O’Brien, Thomas and Christopher Milich her son-in-law John Lantry and daughter-in law Gladys O’Brien; six grandchildren David and Philip Lantry, Joely Lawrence, Casey O’Brien, Katie O’Brien, and Beth McClory; her beloved nieces and nephews Dawn Scherer, Edward (Billy) Burleight , Robin Bachand ,Todd and Jeffrey Lincoln and their children. She was preceded in death by her husband Vlado and daughter Leslie (Kittty) O’Brien. She leaves numerous extended family and friends who she held very dear.

Peggy’s life was a book with diverse chapters. As a young woman she joined the Waves and served on Coronado Island at the Naval Hospital as a nurse during WWII. She modeled woman’s clothes, once in full riding habit mounting a horse from the wrong side.

She was amazing single mother of three children she reared in Massachusetts. On several occasions she interceded, once tackling the neighborhood bully and washing his face in the snow. When the kid ran home to tell his father, he came out with fire in his eyes. He took one look at the 5′ woman turned to his son and said “that’s the woman” and went back in the house. Nope you didn’t want to rile the Irish in Peggy.

She returned to California where she met and married Val Milich. They extended their family adding two sons, Tom and Chris. At this juncture in her life she became a Cub Scout leader. One of her meetings consisted of sending her little Cub Scouts to the field next door for Walkie Talkie practice. To this day there is a GI Joe MIA in that field!

A favorite story is overhearing Tom and Chris playing. Mom heard one of them say let’s have coffee in peace!

Peggy and Val reached a stage of their lives where they became Camp Ground hosts in Oregon. Later they joined a Christian organization MAPS. They traveled the lower 48 states working on Christian churches, schools and camps.

When health issues forced them to “retire” they spent the next ten year volunteering at Mary’s Mercy Center in San Bernardino feeding the homeless and working in the office.

After Val’s passing she moved to the Villa in San Clemente. She spent the last four years in the lap of luxury. She went from tee shirts and shorts to the belle of the ball. She indulged in clothes, jewelry and weekly hair appointments. She was extremely active at the Villa. She served on the council committee. She was an avid Bingo, Poker, and Scrabble player. Her monthly trips to the Casino were a high light. She would play the slots one penny at a time and do lunch with her friend.

She led a truly remarkable life. Peggy touched countless lives and never met a stranger, even in the grocery store.

Her family would be honored and thrilled if you share a special moment in her life with them.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mary’s Mercy Center, PO BOX 7563, San Bernardino CA. 92411. You can visit their web site @ www.Marysmercycenter.org.

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22 responses to Rhona M. Milich

  1. Barbara Rice says:

    I met Peggy through her daughter Valory. We discovered we shared a great love of books-especially our “cozy” mysteries! I would send her bags of books and she would enjoy and share them around with all her friends. She was so upset when I got my Kindle! Peggy never missed sending me a Christmas and Easter card and put me in her powerful prayer circle in times of need. She made me feel like she scooped me up in her arms and I felt truly blessed to be in her circle of loved ones. What a very special lady!

  2. “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, sure ’tis like a morn in spring.
    In the lilt of Irish laughter, you can hear the angels sing.”

    If you knew my aunt Peggy you would know why this verse makes me think of her and remember all the times she would smile, and laugh causing the whole world to smile with her. She had a love of life and a love for the people around her that was unmatched. As I reflect back on times that I spent with her as a child and again as an adult, the one great lesson I learned from her was that no matter how hard things seemed if you kept smiling and kept praying they always got better.

  3. Dawn Scherer says:

    “Hi Dawnie, this is Aunt Peg” are words I will miss hearing when I answer my phone. She has been my aunt for 71 years and my friend for more than 55. Her strength, her grace, her humor, her prayers for all of us will be forever be an example of a life well lived. As someone once said, “my life is my legacy” and our dear Peggy Burleigh O’Brien, Milich has left us with a wealth of good stories, special moments, and support that we may now share with each other.

  4. katie obrien says:

    One of my fondest memories is when we were able to spend her 89th with her in California and spend time with relatives. I know that brought a lot of joy to her and it was so nice to see everyone under one roof. I will cherish this memory forever

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