Margaret "Peggy" Murrell

Margaret “Peggy” Murrell died peacefully on December 27, 2017. She was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 28, 1923, to Annie Lee Baldwin and Duncan Patterson Baldwin. The family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida two years later, and Peggy lived in St. Petersburg or St. Petersburg Beach until she moved to Tallahassee six months ago. From an early age, she was active in student government. In high school she attended state conventions for both the National Honor Society and student government. In 1941, she was St. Petersburg High’s senior class president and graduated as salutatorian. Her classmates named her Miss. St. Pete High. She then enrolled in St. Petersburg Junior College and, during that period, was selected to be a debutante. After a year at the College, she went to work as a legal secretary for the St. Petersburg law firm of Bussey, Mann, & Barton where she worked during World War II. During the war years, she was the “commander” of the “bomb-a-dears,” a Red Cross organization of young women who organized dances for airmen from Tampa’s McDill and Drew Fields. Peggy also volunteered three times a week as a nurse’s aid at Mound Park Hospital. She met William “Bill” P. Murrell in high school and both were students at the Junior College. Not long after the war started, Bill joined the Army Air Force, and the two corresponded while Bill flew missions in Italy, North Africa, and Europe. In 1946 when Bill returned home, they were married. They were together until she died, more than 71 years later. After the wedding, they moved to Chicago where Bill spent the next three years at the Northern Illinois College of Optometry. Peggy worked as an executive secretary for C.B. Alberding who owned hotels throughout the country. After Bill graduated, they moved to St. Petersburg Beach where Bill opened his optometry practice and Peggy was the assistant manager of the Tides Hotel and Bath Club on Reddington Beach. Bill was recalled to active duty when the Korean War broke out, but stayed stateside. Peggy traveled with him to his assignment in Denver. When the war ended, Peggy and Bill moved back to St. Petersburg with what had become a family of four, with now two sons. In 1958, their daughter was born. Peggy was an early believer in keeping her children busy, but still found time to play many roles in the community. From PTA president, to an active member of the Junior League, to swim meet manager, she was always busy with a project. She and Bill became members of Pasadena Community Church in 1955 and served the church for more than 60 years. Peggy taught Sunday School year in and year out and headed a long list of committees. After the children were grown, she returned to work as a legal secretary, working part time for the Battaglia law firm. In her later years, she spent many hours researching and writing about her family genealogy and organizing her St. Pete High class reunions. She lived her life in accord with three of her favorite sayings: “to whom much is given much is expected,” “it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness,” and, that “any job worth doing is worth doing well.” She is survived by her husband Bill, her sister, Patsy Johns, her three children and their spouses – Randy (Karen), Rob (Carol), and Margaret (Brian), eight grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. There will be a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. on February 3rd at the Pasadena Community Church in St. Petersburg. Todd Wahlquist with Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Margaret "Peggy" Murrell

February 28, 1923 - December 27, 2017