Peggy Moynihan McCaffrey
Peggy Moynihan McCaffrey, the daughter of Charles Joseph "CJ" Moynihan and Marguerite Catlin Moynihan, was born on Jan. 15, 1922, in Montrose, Colo. She graduated from Montrose High School in 1940 and from the University of Colorado in 1944. Immediately after graduation, she entered the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots program, and served as a ferry and test pilot. After the WASP program was disbanded in December 1944, she joined the American Red Cross and served in the European theater during World War II, where she met John McCaffrey. In 1946, they returned to the United States and were married in Montrose, Colo. Together, they had five children, Kathleen Tabor, Patricia Wagner, Margaret McCaffrey, Edward McCaffrey and Anne Gibbins.
After raising her children, Peggy returned to college and received her teaching certificate in language arts in 1974. She taught at Montrose Junior High for five years, then started the homebound program for the Montrose school district. She taught homebound students for five years. She retired from the school district in 1984 when her husband accepted a position with the Department of Defense at Kwajalein Military Base in the Marshall Islands. Peggy returned to Montrose in 1989 and remained until her death. On March 10, 2010, Peggy was awarded a U.S. Congressional Gold Medal for her service in the WASP program.
Two of her children, Kathleen and Anne, currently live in Montrose. Patricia lives in Denver, Margaret lives in Tucson, Ariz., and Edward lives in San Diego, Calif. She had nine grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by his parents; her two brothers, Jack and Dale Moynihan; and her sister, Alice Mills.
A mass of Christian burial for Peggy will be held Thursday, June 14 at 10 a.m. in St. Mary Catholic Church. Donations may be made to the Heart Association or Sharing Ministries in her name.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, Co 81401 (970) 249-2121.
