Peggy Marie Stroko
West Leisenring
Peggy Marie Stroko, 75, of West Leisenring, passed away suddenly on Friday, March 6, 2026. She was born in Ft. Worth, Texas, to the late Jack and Margaret Newby.
She is survived by her husband, lover and sweetheart of 58 years, Thomas Stroko.
Their love story was like a Hallmark movie. He was stationed in her hometown during the Vietnam war to guard the missile base that was there. One afternoon a chance encounter happened. Tom was hitchhiking to town when Peggy, and her then boyfriend, stopped to pick him up. When he entered the car, she immediately had the thought “what if I married this man?” A month later he asked her out and the rest was history. Their love created a beautiful family. They have four daughters who were her greatest blessing and greatest pride: Rebecca Pisczek (Jaison), Renee Cumberland (Mark), Regina Stephens (Timmy) and Rachel Ritchie (Robert).
Peggy had a number of jobs throughout her life, from making dresses in the JCPenney sewing factory, to working at Gene & Boots candy, to McCory’s, Hickory Farm and Dazzle Jewelry.
Her greatest job however, was being the crazy glue that held our large family together. After all, she has 11 grandchildren: Jack, Tommy, Zachary, Destiny, Kayleigh, Savannah, Isabella, Ethan, Vynessa, Aaron and Lindsay; and 10 great-grandchildren whom she adored and spoiled.
Being born and raised in Alvarado, Texas, part of Peggy’s heart was still there, and it pulled her back several times throughout her life to live there again. She never lost that sweet southern accent or the spunk that came with it.
She is survived by two siblings that still live there: her sister and best friend, Patsy and brother, Phil. Now she is now reunited with her sister in heaven, Patricia, whom she dearly missed.
She was a baptized member of the Church of Jesus Christ, Vanderbilt and Ft. Worth, Texas branches, where she held the office of deaconess. Peggy was a bright light to this world that we were not ready to let go. She took care of everyone she knew. If you needed anything she would get it, whether family or not. To know her was to love her.
Family and friends will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at the Gates Funeral Home and Crematory, 136 N. Gallatin Avenue, Uniontown, where a prayer service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 13. Interment to follow Sylvan Heights Cemetery.