Peggy Oliva

Peggy Rae Oliva, 82, Topeka, Kansas, passionate wife, mother and grandmother with beautiful blue eyes, passed away Sunday, November 10, 2024. Peggy was born July 10, 1942, in Topeka to Murvin and Mary Gallagher Jones and attended Topeka High School. On March 22, 1958, Peggy and Julian Charles Oliva were united in marriage enjoying more than 66 years together. Julian’s nick name for his beloved was “Sugar-booger.” Peggy was a member of Mater Dei Parish and Holy Name Church for many years. She was a part of almost every facet of the parish. She was a member of the Madonna and St. Benedict’s Circles and served as president of the Altar Guild. She was a sacristan, a Eucharistic Minister and took Communion to those in the hospital. She took care of the priests’ vestments and the church’s plants. Peggy was the funeral dinner coordinator for years and she and Julian chaired the Church’s main fundraiser, the Fall Bazaar, twice. She coordinated the parish’s once a month dinner at Let’s Help for years. Peggy was a founding member of a new ministry, Warm Hugs and Prayers, prayer blanket ministry and was the first recipient as well. She was a member of the quilt group started in 1997 and in 2000 was part of the group which made a special quilt to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Archdiocese. In 2009, Mater Dei Parish honored Peggy and Julian with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition and appreciation of their lifelong commitment to Mater Dei Parish and School. Peggy was always donating her time, treasure and service. She had worked at Kansas Secure Title and Lawyers Title and loved being a Shawnee County election worker. She was part owner of Pedro Lopez, Inc. She was a member of the Kansas Capital Quilters Guild and Topeka Quilters Group. She worked on the committee for the 25th Annual Reunion of the Bottoms Neighborhood Kids. Peggy never said “No” if there was a job to be done, Peggy did it. Peggy loved her family! They felt her love in everything she did. She passed on her values by teaching her children what was important in life and how to accomplish it. She followed her grandchildren’s activities: dance, sports, and orchestra with enthusiasm. Peggy loved her dogs, her “four legged kids,” Oscar and Millie. Peggy summed up her life, “I lived a wonderful 82 years, had great kids and a great husband.” She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. Grateful to have shared Peggy’s life are her husband, Julian Oliva, Sr.; her children, Kathleen Henao (Kristopher), Colleen Speaker (Randy), Julian C. Oliva, Jr. (Susanne); grandchildren, Karrington (Corey), Kerrigan, LeighAnna (Tim), Jarrod, Triston, Shannon (Shane), Trent (Karli), Julian III and Olivia; great-grandchildren, Kensington, Kennedy, Kollins, Aiden, Addalyn, Alenna, Summit and Cannon; and her sisters, Patsy Metzger and Maureen Shirley. Peggy was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter, Eileen Kay Oliva. The rosary will be prayed at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 17, with visitation following until 4 p.m. at Mater Dei Holy Name Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at the Church. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mater Dei Parish or the American Cancer Society and sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Peggy Oliva

July 10, 1942 - November 10, 2024