Dr. Margaret Gene Senter (Peggy) passed away Feb. 8, 2024.
Fully appreciating an academic atmosphere, she graduated from VPI, attended Medical School at MCV, received her master’s degree in public health from Yale University, a master’s degree in Psychology from Hollins University, and a doctorate in Epidemiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Peggy’s career spanned from teaching science at Cave Spring High School to teaching at ECPI. She retired after teaching for many years at Carilion Jefferson College of Health Sciences. Always a lover of flowers, plants, and trees, Peggy served as various officers in the Salem Garden Club as well as the Bonsai Club. A lifelong Episcopalian, she was an active member of St. Paul’s in Salem and a member of The Guild of Martha and Mary. Peggy was well known for making magnificent floral arrangements for many Sunday mornings as well as large arrangements for wedding receptions and celebrations at St. Paul’s. Her family envisions her now in heaven, skipping through fields of brightly colored wildflowers as far as the eye can see.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret Lewis Stearnes and Eugene William Senter, Sr, M.D.; as well as many pets that she rescued, loved, and tenderly cared for throughout her lifetime.
She is survived by her brother and sister-in law, Eugene William (Bill) Senter, Jr. and Camille Sheahan Senter of Mesa, Ariz.; nephew and godson, Eugene (Gene) William Senter III (Rebecca), of Vinton, Va.; nephew, John Lewis Senter (Dawn); great niece and nephews, Greg, Lance, and Lillian Senter, all of Mesa, Ariz.; beloved and faithful cousins, Joe and Ellen Austin; and family of the heart, Louise Dillon, of Salem, Va.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Joseph C. Thomas Center for taking such loving care of our Peggy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 42 E. Main St, Salem, Va. 24153 or to a charity of your choice.
A memorial service was held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in the Columbarium at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salem, Va.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.
