Margaret E. "Peggy" Leiper

Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth “Peggy” Leiper, age 84, formerly of 51 Fillmore Avenue, Salamanca, NY, more recently of Bradford, PA, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 due to complications of dementia.

Born on May 29, 1940 in Salamanca, NY, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Margaret Ward. She was married on January 4, 1958 to Mr. Donald Leiper, who predeceased her in 2009.

She attended Salamanca High School, Class of 1958. Other than a few years in Niagara Falls, NY and Burlington, NJ, she lived her entire life as an active member of the Salamanca community, joining several organizations, serving in various capacities. The loss of the family home to fire on Christmas Morning, 1983, was a tragic event. It was also a time of gratitude when friends and neighbors came to their aide.

She was a member of St. Patrick’s Church, and Our Lady of Peace Parish. She was a Special Minister of Holy Communion and a member of the Altar & Rosary Society. She loved to sing, sharing her gift as a part of the Folk Group, which regularly performed at the church. The highlight of the year was when she sang her solo at the Christmas Eve Mass.

She was an actress and crew member of the Cattaraugus County Living Arts Association, filling roles in many musicals. Her husband supported her theater activities as the sound engineer and an occasional performer. Sometimes her children also joined the cast and crew. One of her favorites was “The Sound of Music”.

As an avid bowler, for many years she was a member of a ladies’ league team. As friends, they continued to meet long after their bowling shoes gathered dust in the closet. Later in life, she enjoyed her involvement with the Red Hat Society.

Peggy and her husband enjoyed traveling about the country as long as the destination was family. Nearly every summer featured a family reunion. In retirement, they hosted the gatherings at their cabin in Little Valley, NY. One of the greatest events of her life was their 50th wedding anniversary in 2008, which turned into a multi-day celebration with all the extended family in attendance.

She was a devoted parent, who attended hundreds of performances and sporting events that her children and grandchildren participated in. She put her parenting skills to good use, becoming “Grandma Peggy” to the many children she babysat. She also provided foster care for 11 newborn babies.

Surviving are: 4 daughters, Julie (Randy) Hinman, Richmond, VA, Debra (Tim) Reed, Bradford, PA, Karen (Dick) Budinger, Chesapeake, VA, Cathy (Scott) Vonderheide, Alfred, NY; 2 sons, Michael Leiper, Tehachapi, CA, DJ Leiper, Great Valley, NY; 11 grandchildren, Jeremy (Heather) Hinman, Erik (Amanda) Hinman, Nicholas Hinman, James (Dana) Reed, Joshua Dornan, Joseph (Jennifer) Budinger, Melissa Leiper, Sommer Leiper, Mariam (Jacob) Pincus, Deric Leiper, Natalee Leiper; 10 great-grandchildren, Madison, Patrick, Amelia, Ethan, Nicholas, Xavier, Skylar, Joseph, John, Jordan; 1 great-great-grandchild, Ace; 2 brothers, Mike (Kattie) Ward, Keystone Heights, FL, David (Kay) Ward, Peachtree City, GA; several nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of Peace Parish, 274 Broad Street, Salamanca, NY on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 10am.

Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Salamanca, NY.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.