Peggy M. (Harman) Elliott

Peggy M. Elliott 4/22/31-5/3/26    After celebrating her 95th birthday with a party at her home, Peggy passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 3, 2026. Peggy was born in Taylors Falls, MN on April 22, 1931, and grew up in Osceola, WI. She was the second of four daughters born to Graffius and Perle Harman. At 18, Peggy sought the city life and moved to the Twin Cities. She met her future husband, Bill, when she was modeling for Dayton's. The University of MN football team was enlisted to be escorts at a Fall Fashion Show, and Peggy had her eye on Bill to be hers. And he was! They married in 1951 and shared 42 years together, raising 9 children, first in Fergus Falls, and then settling for good in St. Mark's parish, St. Paul. There's so much to say about Peggy: she was beautiful, fashionable, creative, funny, hardworking, but mostly a perfectionist in any endeavor she undertook. She could sew anything, cook anything, grow anything. She sewed our childhood Easter frocks, our prom dresses, and then she took up quilting. Mom loved her quilting retreats: the cutting, the sewing, the beautiful colors and fabrics, the food and fellowship. You will have to look hard to find a crooked seam in any of her work. She also canned and stewed and froze the vegetables and herbs she grew in abundance every summer.  But her flowers, oh my! She planted every color of tulip and lily. Her clematis, honeysuckle and mandavilla overflowed their trellises. Her yard exploded with color from the rhododendron, azaleas, hydrangeas and roses.  How appropriate that Earth Day landed on her birthday.  Peggy's love of history and culture took her to faraway places, from the Alamo to Argentina! She went to Ireland 3 times; she visited daughters in Egypt, North Carolina, and LA; and with her travel buddies (Anna, Elsie, and Mary, nicknamed the Merry Widows) she toured Italy, France, the British Isles, and even attended the Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany, which occurs once every 10 years. Mom was welcoming to all who came through the door. And with nine children, she got to know dozens of our friends. They loved her warmth, humor and absence of judgement, but especially her food. Years later, after most of us had left home, friends would continue to stop by just to catch up with Mom. Her skill for Bridge was also well known and became a stimulating and social past time for 50 years. Underlying everything Peggy did was a deep love for her Savior, Jesus Christ, and her Catholic faith. Mom converted to Catholicism in her early 20's and although she never missed Mass on a Sunday, her faith was still a bit lukewarm, until she underwent a powerful reversion some 20 years ago.  Afterwards, she became even more involved at St Mark's, attending Adoration regularly and weekly Bible studies, daily Mass and mini retreats. Her faith was the rock upon which she leaned in the most difficult times that arose later in life: especially her failing health and the loss of two of her children and a great grandchild. Mom stayed faithful to the end, and is deserving of the phrase from Matthew's Gospel: "Well done my good and faithful servant." Peggy was preceded in death by parents Graffius and Perle Harman; sisters, Gloria Larsen and Kay Barger; husband, D. Wm. Elliott; son, Timothy Elliott; daughter, Mary Elliott; grandson, Jacob Oehrlein; great granddaughter, Cora Anderson. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Kathleen Elliott (Cliff), Teresa Kusske (Ken), Peggy Harrison (Hines), Susan Billington (Ned), Cynthia Elliott, Bridget Elliott, Bill Elliott (Heidi). Grandchildren: Katie, Daniel and Nate Oehrlein; Amy, Michelle, Teresa and Colleen Kusske; Jonathon, Christopher and Timothy Elliott; Keili and Rose Harrison; Conor Elliott; Elliot, Henry and Luke Billington; Katie Alvey; Harman Beyer; Ryan and Bridget Hayes; Greta Elliott; 28 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; and sister, Jaclyn Ellen Harman and her many Randall cousins. . The entire family would also like to extend the deepest gratitude to our sister, Bridget, for 30 years of being by Mom's side as friend, housemate, confidant, and, later in life, her loving and devoted caretaker. For those of us who lived out of state, we were comforted knowing Mom was in good hands. Thank you Bridget. In addition, our sister, Cynthia, also stepped into a caregiver role in the final years of Mom's life. In 2002, Mom was a Lady-in-Waiting as part of the St Paul Winter Carnival Royalty. But to us, her children, she will always be our Queen Bee. The throne is now empty and our hearts are bereft, but we shall be consoled by the things Mom left us: her examples of strength, joy, generosity, beauty, and perseverance; the stories, the memories, the laughter, the recipes, the quilts, the hugs. Thank you for everything Mom. May you rest in peace. May the heavenly light shine upon you. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 14th from 5-8 pm at O'Halloran and Murphy (575 S. Snelling Ave. St. Paul). Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am on Friday, May 15th at St. Mark Catholic Church, 2001 Dayton Ave. St. Paul. Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to St. Mark Catholic Church or charity of your choice.

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