March 28, 1921 – Dec. 21, 2013
After a brief illness in Sonoma Valley Hospital, Peggy passed peacefully into heaven on Dec. 21, 2013 at the age of 92. She was born in Santa Rosa and made her home in Sonoma County throughout her life.
The beloved only child of Dr. Fred O. and Tilly Butler, she grew up on the property of Sonoma State Hospital, where her father was medical director. She loved the Butler oaks and the gorgeous flowers on the grounds of the hospital complex. She resided there while attending Dunbar Elementary School and Sonoma High School.
Peggy graduated from the University of California San Francisco in nursing, and the University of California at Berkeley in public health nursing. She returned to Sonoma and became the school nurse at Sonoma High School. In 1942, she married Dr. Richard McAleese, who provided services to the residents of Napa State Hospital and the Veterans Center at Yountville.
She is survived by her two sons, Richard and Robert, and predeceased by her husband and third son, Thomas. She is dearly loved by all her family members, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Peggy supported numerous charities and was a very active volunteer in Sonoma throughout her life, particularly with Friends In Sonoma Helping (FISH). She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, American Association of University Women, and Sonoma Women’s Club.
In 1998, she was the honorary mayor (Alcaldesa) of Sonoma. A celebration of Peggy’s life will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 275 E. Spain St., Sonoma on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Peggy’s family respectfully requests donations be made to FISH, P.O. Box 507, Sonoma, CA 95476.
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