Peggy Hickey Bybee

Peggy Hickey Bybee, 79, passed away Saturday, December 9, 2023, at The University of Kansas St. Francis Hospital in Topeka. Peggy was born Margaret Frances Rooney on Christmas Day 1943, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The daughter of James and Frances Rooney, Peggy grew up in the village of Kohler and was active in Girl Scouts and activities with other families who worked at the Kohler Company. She loved growing up in the village with her grandparents by her side. She had wonderful memories with family and made many lifelong friends. In 1962, Peggy graduated from Kohler High School, and a proud Badger through and through, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. She then began her professional career with Southwestern Bell Phone Company (SWB). Having enough of the cold Wisconsin winters, and promotional opportunities with SWB, Peggy moved to Topeka in 1977 and would call Topeka home for the rest of her life. She enjoyed a successful career at SWB holding various management roles. Peggy loved leading teams and understood the importance of mentorship and encouraging her team to learn new skills and try new things. She had an appreciation for education. In 1989, Peggy met her lifelong companion, Jack Lee Bybee, and they would spend 34 years together. A life that included sharing their love for their toy poodles, Tanzy, Tucker and Tinker, their love for the Catholic Church, cheering for the Jayhawk basketball team, sporting events, attending civic theatre, traveling to IndyCar races, trips to Kohler, and volunteering for a local reading program at Assumption Grade School and PGA events in Kohler. Peggy and Jack were married February 21, 2015. Peggy retired from SWB/AT&T and took Jack up on his offer to join Topeka Foundry and Iron Works. She worked for ten years at TF&I, where she led benefits and other safety and training initiatives. Peggy loved to cook and she loved her fashion. She especially cherished her time with friends and family. Girlfriend get togethers, cheering on the Green Bay Packers, or enjoying a green beer for St. Patrick’s Day. Her spirit, her smile, and her laugh will be missed by many. Survivors include her husband, Jack; stepdaughters, Angie Bybee (Jeanette Blide), Wichita, and Amy Bybee, Chicago; sisters-in-law, Jill Bybee Ables, and Jan Bybee Biggs; many cousins, nephews, nieces, and great nephews, and best friends. Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents and stepfather, Elmer Rasch. The family thanks the ICU and the 6th floor medical staff at St. Francis Hospital for their care and compassion. There will be a prayer service at 5 p.m. Friday, December 15, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, where visitation will follow until 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 227 SW Van Buren, Topeka KS 66603. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Scleroderma Foundation, https://national.scleroderma.org/site or to St. Joseph Catholic Church, and sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Peggy Hickey Bybee

December 25, 1943 - December 9, 2023