Margaret ‘Peggy’ Anderson Helm
CHANDLER – It is with great sadness that the family of Margaret ‘Peggy’ Anderson Helm, age 94, announces her peaceful passing as she joined her Lord in Heaven on April 22, 2021 in Chandler, Arizona. Peggy was born in Dalmuir, Scotland on June 29, 1926 and was a ‘wee bairn’ when her family emigrated from Scotland to East Orange, New Jersey in 1927. Preceding Peggy in death are her parents, Alexander Richard Anderson (1900-1940?) and Hilda Elizabeth Cumming Anderson (1904-1989) and her sister Evelyn Anderson Peer (1928-1995). Peggy married Arthur ‘Artie’ Melvin Engstrom of East Orange, NJ (1923-1953, USN) but was widowed by his passing at age 30 from cancer. She married again in 1957 to Frederick ‘Fred’ Arthur Helm of East Orange, NJ, (1924-1974, USAF, M/Sgt Ret.) and was widowed once again by his death in April, 1974. Peggy remained a widow for her remaining 47 years. Surviving Peggy is her only child Arthur Richard ‘Dick’ Engstrom, his wife Nancy Irene Hawke Engstrom, her only grandchild Eric James Engstrom and his wife Allison Caitlyn Walker Engstrom, all living in Chandler, AZ. Also surviving Peggy are her nephew John Edward Peer III (Linda), niece Barbara Jean Peer McClure, (William), all of Owens Crossroads, AL. Also surviving Peggy are loving cousins in New Jersey, Florida and the ‘old country’ near Dundee, Scotland.
Peggy loved being the spouse of a serviceman, the military lifestyle and especially the travel involved. From 1957-1959 the three family members lived in Dover, Delaware, 1959-1961 Plattsburgh, New York, 1961-1964 in Toul-Rosier, France and the final base assignment in Tucson, Arizona arriving July 4, 1964. She remained in Tucson for the next 52 years until moving to Chandler, AZ in 2016 to be closer to her family. She was an outstanding mother, wife and homemaker giving much loving care and support to her family! In 1975 she started a twenty year career with Sears, Roebuck and Co., retiring in 1995 as an accounting auditor. Peggy continued her travels after her loss of Fred, traveling to the United Kingdom, Europe, Scandinavia, Africa, China, Australia, South America, numerous cruises and a number of trips to one of her most favorite places, Hawaii. Some of her favorite beloved things were, her Faith, her small family and numerous friends, her independence, celebrating other people’s birthdays, coffee, Frank Sinatra, reading (a lot!), her home in Tucson, watching movies, football/ baseball, and going out to ‘the base’. Her favorite places were, Arizona, Tucson, Manasquan on ‘The Jersey Shore’, Scotland and Hawaii.
Peggy was very giving and loving to all people she met, being quick with a smile and a laugh! She was always an optimist, had a very positive attitude about life and looked on the bright side of things! She was a true and valued friend to all those who knew her! She had a quick mind and sense of humor right up to the end! She had a long life well lived! Peggy was the matriarch of the Cumming Clan and the Anderson Clan,she was always proud of her Scottish heritage! She was a member of ‘The Greatest Generation’.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley. A memorial service for Peggy will be held on Sunday, May 2, 2021 10:00am at Valley of the Sun Cemetery at 10940 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler, AZ 85248. 480-895-9232.