Peggy Barker Cangemi

Peggy Barker Cangemi

In every community there is a person who will be remembered for reaching out to everyone.   A person who looked for the good in all.   On Wednesday, January 22nd, 2020, the community of Eccles lost Peggy Cangemi.   She was in her 82nd year.

The second of five children, Peggy Jean Barker was born on May 24th, 1937 at Eccles, the daughter of late Murvin and Euria Lewis Barker. Her sisters and brother, Ina Burns and Bernice Terry and Gerald Barker have preceded her in death as well.   Her only brother, Ed Barker and his wife Joan survive.

A lifelong resident of Eccles, Peggy was a proud alumni of Trap Hill School.   As so many miners did back in the day, they had to move to where work was, Peggy ended up graduating from Mullens High School but her heart belonged to Trap Hill where she was active in the reunion committees.

In her early years, Peggy worked for the GC Murphy Company, but she will be best remembered for business adventure, Eccles Produce which she ran for 25 years.  All her patrons loved her and she always looked out for those who might be “short on funds” at the end of the month. Her son, Rocky recalls “Mom once worked 18 months straight without a day off other than Christmas at that business.”

On July 28th, 1956, Peggy married the love of her life, teacher and coach, Samuel Eugene Cangemi.   To their union was born three children, Tammy, Rocky and Judy.   Family was everything to Peggy.   Tammy is married to Billy Vass and they make their home in Beckley, Rocky is married to Renee and they reside in Glen Daniel, Judy would marry Shannon Daniel and they live in Eccles.   Peggy was the proud “Ma Maw” of Mireya Tetil and her husband Tim, Dominick Cangemi and his wife Maygon and Jacob Stump and his wife, Skylar.   There is one great granddaughter, Peggy’s special little girl, Annalee Tetil.    A large extended family of nieces and nephews, Kathy and Alex Taraczkozy, Stephanie Dry, Dean Burns, Brian Simmons, Joey Cangemi, Ed Cangemi, and Jeff Cangemi; a niece, Cheryl Lynn Burns has preceded her in death.  Peggy is the fond sister-in-law, of Jimmy and Sue Cangemi and Gene Terry.   And many many friends, we would be remiss her family, not to remember and thank her buddy, Mark Pugh.  Mark always looked for our Mother and made sure “things were fixed” and errands were ran.   Mark treated Peggy like his own mother.

Peggy loved life.   She enjoyed camping at Lake Stephens with family and friends and of course, what can we say, she and her childhood friend from the age of three, Pat Duncan were WVU’s greatest fans. Many years ago she shocked our father by getting on a plane and going to a WVU bowl game.   She then sent him a picture, “NEED MORE MONEY!”    Over the years Peggy would attend countless home games and numerous bowl games.   She has had a wonderful life.   Trials yes, the death of her beloved Eugene in April 2002, the loss of family members, classmates and friends.   But she was always resilient and a positive.

This Saturday, January 25th, at 2:00pm we will remember the life Peggy Jean Barker Cangemi with a “Service of Remembrance” at the Melton Mortuary.   Peggy’s pastor, Garry Hall of the Eccles First Baptist Church where she faithfully attended will officiate.   The family will receive friends at 12 noon.   The burial will be private.  Peggy will be laid to rest beside Eugene in the Sunset Memorial Park.

And so at the end of the day, we must say goodbye to a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend.   Peggy Cangemi will be remembered...  God speed until we all meet again.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Peggy Barker Cangemi, please visit our floral store.