Margaret Mary “Peggy” Clarke, 87, of Winchester, VA, born in Brooklyn, NY, on May 18, 1937, to the late James Joseph and Margaret Rita (Rogan) Flanagan, passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Spring Arbor in Winchester.

Peggy married Gerald Vincent Clarke on June 22, 1957, in Brooklyn, NY. He preceded her in death on May 7, 2022, after 64 years of Holy Matrimony.

Together Peggy and Jerry raised their seven children and a grandson: Elizabeth Marie (Larry) Pullen of Stephenson VA, Gerald Peter (Kathy) Clarke of Gore VA, Daniel Paul (Wendy) Clarke of Cross Junction VA, Thomas Luke (Holly) Clarke of Winchester VA, Catherine Rita (Bryan) Clarke of Maurertown VA, Cecilia Jean (Jeff) Fagga of Romney WV, Nancy Clarke (Trent) Baker of Appomattox VA; and grandson, Brian Daniel Clarke of Berryville VA. Peggy leaves behind a legacy of 40 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren. Peggy knew her grandchildren well and had a personal and loving relationship with each one.

She is survived by sister Hannah Eileen (William) Johnston of Lakewood, OH, sister-in-law Anne Marie (John) Flanagan of Louisville, KY, and brother-in-law Francis Xavier (Norene) Clarke of Oldsmar, FL.

In addition to her parents and husband, Peggy is preceded in death by her three brothers, David Patrick, John Edward and James Joseph Jr. Flanagan, sister-in-law Noreen Jane Flanagan, and four grandchildren Adam Clarke Nisivoccia, Olivia Rose Clarke, Nicolas Jose Dee Rodriguez, and Jaime Lyn Day.

Peggy graduated from Bay Ridge High School in Brooklyn, New York, in 1955 and married the love of her life two years later. Her greatest vocation was faithful wife, devoted mother, and loving grandmother to her very large family. She provided a home that was warm and supportive with good meals and a hot cup of tea, a throwback to her Irish roots! She was consistently available to her family and open to any and every conversation. She was a homemaker that knew how to feed a crowd, and she served a beautiful lunch every day. The miracle of the loaves and fishes played out frequently in her pantry – there was always enough. Her door was open daily for a quick visit, a short stay or a refuge in time of need. Beds, mattresses and blankets, pajamas in every size, and a fully stocked snack drawer were ever-present for the impromptu and frequent sleepovers at Grandma’s.

Peggy was an active member of St. Anthony’s Parish in Burlington, VT, where the family lived for eighteen years. She helped found the Christian Fellowship group at Saint Joseph’s Parish, also located in Burlington, VT. Peggy and her husband Jerry often held prayer meetings in their home. She valued the lifelong friendships formed through this fellowship. She was a 35-year member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Winchester VA, where she was a member of the Bereavement Committee, providing meals to grieving families. She was a faithful, weekly Adorer at Perpetual Adoration for twenty-two years.

A strong believer in her Catholic Faith, she considered her life to be a living sacrifice and a constant prayer. She raised her family for the Glory of God. She didn’t preach; instead, she quietly demonstrated the Love of God in all her ways, and for this, “her children rise up and call her blessed.” (Proverbs 31).

Visitation will be held for Peggy on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 6pm to 8pm at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Saint Bridget of Ireland Catholic Church in Berryville, VA, at 11am. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Eve Ministries, PO Box 1518, Winchester, Virginia 22604 or newevematernityhome.org.