Margaret “Peggy” Parietti, 57-year resident of
Mercer Island, died Aug. 29, 2020, at age 93. Born
December 16, 1926, in Vancouver, Washington,
Peggy graduated from Ridgefield High School in
1944.
She attended the University of Washington and
was a stewardess for United Airlines, meeting a
variety of Hollywood celebrities on her Los Angeles
flights. She left the skies to marry Walt Parietti on
Oct. 22, 1949, at St. James Catholic Church in
Vancouver.
They lived in Renton, Yakima, Portland and
Seattle as Walt pursued a 40-year career as a newspaper sports
reporter, finally moving to Mercer Island in 1963. They had five
children and Peggy worked for 20 years as a secretary and clerk
for Farmer’s New World Life Insurance Co., retiring in 1995.
Peggy was known for her smile, her kindness and always
having a camera at the ready to document life’s moments. She
enjoyed her close-knit Mercer Island neighborhood, where she
helped organize holiday gatherings over the years, and enjoyed
gardening into her mid-80s.
Peggy was an active parishioner of St. Monica Catholic
Church for nearly six decades. She was a member of the Altar
Society, the funeral committee, led the chapel cleaning crew and
taught religious education to special needs students. As a member
of the Respect Life Committee, she participated in
the annual March for Life in Olympia into her 80s.
Peggy loved spending time with her kids and
grandkids, traveling and sports. An avid golfer,
Peggy took to the links until she was 90.
She was a longtime member of the Daughters
of the Pioneers of Washington, the Pioneer
Association of Washington State, and Clipped
Wings, an organization of current/former flight
attendants. Peggy held national and local offices and
was the Seattle Chapter’s longtime newsletter editor.
Walt and Peggy moved into Island House senior
living in 2013. During the seven years she lived there, Peggy made
many friends with the residents and staff, served on the resident
committee, enjoyed various activities and remained independent
until her last few months.
Peggy was preceded in death by Walt in 2016. She is survived
by her five children, Jeff, Craig (Debbie), Jean (Will Self), Paul,
and Bill (Mary); five grandchildren, Ryan, Andrew, Wesley,
Isabella and Liliana; two great-grandsons, Jack and Rocco; her
sister-in-law, Sylvia Halldorson; and a large extended family.
Memorial donations: St. Monica Catholic School or Special
Olympics Washington. Full obituary and on-line guestbook at
www.FLINTOFTS.com.
