Margaret E. Hutto

Margaret E. “Peggy” Hutto, age 90, of Grants Pass, died December 12, 2022 at Applegate House.

Peggy was born February 8, 1932 in Eugene, Oregon to Roland T. & Bertha Louise (McGuire) Burghardt. During the Depression, her father sold his business and the family moved to Glendale, California, where Peggy attended Sacred Heart Catholic High School. She met Neil F. McNeil, a neighbor who was in medical school and after graduation, she married Neil in 1950. Their son Michael was born in 1951 and in 1953 daughter Kathy was born. In 1958 Peggy and Neil divorced. Two years later she met Bob Hutto thru friends and they married in 1962. They lived in Westwood, California until 1965 when they moved to Hacienda Heights, California. Over the years she held many jobs including administrative assistant at La Puente High School for two years; administrative assistant for Ralph’s Grocery Co. for two years; cafeteria organizer for two years; a travel agent for many years; and lastly owning and operating her own travel agency.

In 1996 she moved from California to Ashland, Oregon. In Ashland, she volunteered as a pink lady at Ashland Community Hospital and worked at the hospital coffee cart with her two best friends. She ended up buying the coffee cart with Mary, her partner and friend and sold it in 2013 at the age of 81. She lived by herself with her cat, Lily in Medford until 2019 when she sold her home and moved to her daughter’s property for nearly three years. In November 2021 she moved to Applegate House memory care due to her advanced stages of Alzheimer’s.

Together with Bob, they enjoyed traveling and cruising. She also enjoyed golf.

Peggy was a parish member at Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church in Ashland and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Medford. She also was a member of Candlewood Country Club while living in California.

Survivors include son N. Michael McNeil of Palmdale, California; daughter Kathleen E. HighleyReitter of Grants Pass, Oregon; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Roland and Albert; and husband Bob.

Remembrances may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Peggy was the best mom ever. She will be missed.