Peggy Kent

Madison - Peggy A. Kent (Stralkowski) entered her eternal home on Mother's Day, May 13, 2018, after receiving well wishes and a visit from her family earlier in the day. She fought a valiant 2 ½ year battle with cancer but refused to be defined by it. Her life centered on her family, faith and music, and she was a valued friend to many. Throughout her life, Peggy was always thinking of others. Her faith was evident through her simple acts of kindness and thoughtfulness, her selflessness and hospitality, and her smile and laughter. And through all her recent challenges, her faith never wavered and her serving spirit never left her. Even as people came to comfort her, she was the hostess offering her gifts to others. She will be sorely missed, but her legacy of love and kindness will live on in others as she is now singing with the angels.

Peggy was born in Wausau on October 9, 1953. She came to school in Madison in 1975 and obtained her degree in Religious Studies from Edgewood College. She met her future husband Paul at the Wayland House Coop when he heard her singing carrying down the stairwell. They were married in 1977 and backpacked through Europe for four months in the spring of 1978. Upon their return, Peggy enrolled at UW Madison School of Music and obtained her degree in music education in 1981. After a few years of teaching music, she returned to being a church music director for several years while raising her two sons, Christopher and Michael.

She was a devoted mother who was always there for her boys. She filled their lives with love and music and made every holiday and birthday special with magnificent cakes and creative decorations. She supported them at home in all their many activities and shared her faith with them. Later in life she sent packages of cookies, notes of encouragement and unexpected gift boxes, and looked forward to their visits. She was grateful they married wonderful women who she cherished as friends. She adored her grandchildren Ella and Liam and loved singing songs and playing with them.

She and Paul recently celebrated their 40th anniversary. She was the light of his life and the song in his heart. They shared their love for family, music, faith, and enjoyed the adventure of traveling together both here and abroad. She took care of all of the details at home allowing Paul's career to thrive, but she also insisted on taking time for fun and laughter -- walks to the Union Terrace, concerts and weekend outings. Peggy also valued her extended family and enjoyed regular family gatherings in Door County, St. Germain, church picnics in Wausau and many holidays. She was a caregiver to her elderly family members and often brought complete holiday dinners to serve at their homes.

Faith was always central to her life. She was a longtime leader in Bible Study Fellowship and late in life enrolled at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where she obtained her Master of Divinity degree in 2010. She valued the traditions of many denominations and remained active in several faith communities. More importantly, prayer and Bible study continued to be an integral part of her daily life, and her confidence in who Jesus was and the promise of the resurrection allowed her to meet her final days without fear.

Music was part of her soul. She had a clear bell-like voice that was soft and sweet. She was a member of UW Choral Union for many years and a current member of the Madison Symphony Chorus. She played piano and guitar and loved singing around the house. She also excelled at "traditional" creative skills including sewing, canning and baking; often making things for others.

She loved being outdoors. Door County Peninsula Park was her favorite place for hiking, biking and camping, but she also enjoyed walks along the lakeshore by Picnic Point, and if you asked her, she could identify dozens of birds and flowers along the way. When her boys headed off to college, she joined Mendota Rowing Club and while she did well enough to compete in the Head of the Charles Regatta for several years, she mostly just loved being out on the water. She also enjoyed water skiing, ice skating, skiing and snowshoeing.

Peggy is survived by her husband, Paul; sons, Christopher (Sarah) and Michael (Courtney); grandchildren, Ella and Liam; her brother, Michael Stralkowski (Karen); sisters, Geraldine Koppa (Vern) and Joan Ostroski; and many nieces, nephews and friends. She is predeceased by her parents, Casey and Tillie Stralkowski.

There will be a visitation at Holy Wisdom Monastery Chapel (formerly St. Benedict Center) 4200 County Road M, in Middleton, on Friday, June 1, 2018 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and on Saturday, June 2 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. The funeral service will follow on Saturday, June 2 at 11:00 am with a luncheon reception following. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Madison Symphony Chorus, or Bible Study Fellowship.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434