Margaret 'Peggy' E. Sparks, 74, of Marshfield, died September 9, 2011 of presumed Alzheimer's Disease at Miller Alternative Care in Marshfield. Her family is immensely grateful to the staff, and in her final days to Hospice Services of Ministry Home Care as well, for the tender, kind, and loving care she received there. She was born in Chicago January 13, 1937 to Edna (Hines) and James O'Connell. She was raised and attended parochial schools on the northwest side. She studied at various colleges including the University of Wisconsin/Madison. She married George July 1, 1960 in Mexico City and moved to Marshfield when he joined the Marshfield Clinic. After their children were grown she did volunteer work at the House of the Dove. Ironically she was a life member of the organization Compassion and Choices, and supported the concept of assisted death with dignity as practiced in Oregon and several other states which are progressive in that sphere. She was a loyal friend, interested in politics, and known for her Irish sense of humor and ready laugh. For many years she participated in exercise classes at the YMCA, and made many friends there who kindly guided and assisted her with her exercises as she began to fail. She enjoyed travel and going to plays, musicals, and operas. Many people met her walking in the University Arboretum with her dog. She was a longtime member of a book club in town, and volunteered at the annual library book sale. She loved the limited time she was able to enjoy her two grandchildren. Survivors include her husband George, sons Bill (Jenny) of St. Paul, Jim (Anna) of Minneapolis and their two children, Victor and Olympia. Other immediate family members remaining are brother Jim ( Carole) O'Connell and their children Jamie and Patrick ( Jan) O'Connell; sister Delia ( John) Wozniak and their children Jennie ( Patrick) Boyle, John ( Cella) Wozniak Jr. of Chicago, and Delia ( Justin) Lacson of Seattle; brother Bill O'Connell, all of Chicago or the Chicago area. Peggy's parents died years ago. Her husband and sons will hold a commemoration of her life September 24 at the Parkin Room, Blue Heron Brew Pub/ West 14th St. Restaurant, 108 W. 9th St., from 5 to 9 PM, with food and drink as Peggy would have wanted. All her and our friends are invited. Memorials may be made to the Marshfield Area YMCA Scholarship Fund or the Marshfield Public Library Foundation. No flowers, please. Cremation will be done by Rembs Funeral Home, and condolences may be sent to www. rembsfh.com or to her husband's home. Visitation: 5-9pm on September 24, 2011 at Parkin Room, Blue Brew Pub/West 14th Street, Restaurant, Marshfield, WI Service: on September 24, 2011 at Parkin Room, Blue Brew Pub/West 14th Street, Restaurant, Marshfield, WI