Peggy Janice Skelley Santee

Peggy Janice Santee, née Skelley, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2026. Born in Tennessee Ridge, Tennessee on March 20, 1930, her pedigree included the Robinson, Skelley, Spurlock, and Brown family lineages. Her heritage was English, Scotch-Irish, and

native American with its beginnings in Central and North Central Tennessee in the 18th century. Throughout her life she never forgot her heritage, always remembering fondly the people and places in the Tennessee hills.

Around 1939 Peggy found herself in Niles, Michigan. Her mother, Mildred, and father, Glyn, had moved there for work. Later that year the family moved to Charlotte, Michigan. Here, Peggy would finish elementary school graduating from Charlotte High School in 1948.

Peggy also discovered her future husband, Russell F. Santee, in Charlotte, Michigan. In her writings she recollected as 3rd graders he would not push her swing. She called this their “first fight”. Anyway, something “clicked” and Peggy decided Russell would make the perfect husband. They wed in May of 1949, and together they shared over 75 years before Russell passed away in February of 2025.

From 1949 to 1978 Peggy was the wife of an airman. She moved every two or three years.Children were born, raised, and nurtured. And Peggy managed the homefront during her husband’s overseas deployments, attendance at O􀆯icer Training School, and other long

absences due to the demands of the Air Force.

Peggy moved to Sebring, Florida in 1978. There, she and Russell enjoyed 29 years of fun, independent retirement living. In 2007, she and Russell moved to Cary, North Carolina to be closer to their youngest son, Thomas. Here, she and Russell enjoyed many more years of retirement.

Late in life, Peggy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Her husband, her daughter-in-law (Tanja), Transitions LifeCare, and the staff at the Swift Creek Healthcare Center all shared in her care. All her caregivers loved her with each having a special “Peggy” story.

Peggy was a unique, introspective person. She loved books and she loved to discuss current events. She did her part to help those around her, never asking for or expecting anything in return.

Peggy leaves behind her three sons (Russell Ray, Stephen, and Thomas), her sons’ wives (Roxene, Ivy, and Tanja), her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren. She will be forever loved and missed by her family.