Margaret "Peggy" Held

Margaret “Peggy” (Kelsey) Held, age 90, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2024 at Sunrise Assisted Living in Pittsburgh, PA. She was born in Erie on October 18, 1933, the daughter of the late Dudley and Margaret (Short) Kelsey.

A longtime resident of Erie, Peggy attended Villa Maria grade school and Mercyhurst Prep. After graduating from Mercyhurst College, she began her career as an elementary school teacher with the Erie School District and spent several decades teaching and substitute teaching.  She was well loved by her students and often received cards and letters from them later in life.

After retiring, Peggy began playing golf; quickly developing a love for the game and the ladies that she played with every week. She also enjoyed spending more time in her flower garden and getting together with friends.  Peggy was often seen at Wegmann’s where she seemed to find someone she knew or made a new friend. But her main commitment throughout her life was to her family.  She was always there for her husband, children and grandchildren. Peggy was there for all the celebrations along with the sufferings.  Later in life, she was her happiest hearing that her children or grandchildren were getting together for various events and occasions.

Peggy will be remembered for her wonderful assortment of Christmas cookies, her collection of books and toys for her grandchildren’s visits and her love of serving all the right “snacks” for get-togethers.  She was proud of her Irish descent and a devout Catholic with a deep love for The Blessed Mother and Saint Anthony.  

Besides her parents, Peggy was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, Robert E. Held who died in 2021, a brother, Fred Kelsey, and a son-in-law, Doug Pine.

Peggy is survived by her four children; Ann Soroka (Matt), Thomas Held (Linda), Mark Held (Linda), and Mary Margaret Pine. She is the proud grandmother of Emily Smith (Steve), Ted Held (Julia), Jacob Held, Alex Held, Kate Held, Andrew Pine, and Maggie Pine. Also surviving is a great-granddaughter, Poppy Smith along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Peggy is also survived by her very best friend of over 85 years, Mary “Ree” Travers.

Friends are invited to call at the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, Downtown, 602 W.10th St. on Friday, May 17, 2024 from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm and are invited to attend Prayer Services there Saturday at 11:30 am followed by a Funeral Mass at 12 noon in St. Patrick Catholic Church. Entombment will be in Gate of Heaven Mausoleum.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Bridges Hospice, Cathie Woods and Jennifer Halles for the wonderful care and companionship they showed Peggy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.

Send condolences to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com