Margaret L. Merk (Peggy) of Pasco, WA. Passed away peacefully with all of her children at her side on Friday, September 22, 2017. She was born to the late Edward and Mary O'Brien on December 10, 1918 in Springfield, Illinois. Peggy graduated from Springfield High. She enlisted in the U.S.Navy. In the Mary Todd Lincoln Platoon, as a WAVE "Women accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service". She attended basic training at Hunter College in New York and later Storekeeper training at the University of Indiana. She was stationed at the Naval Air Base Pasco, Washington where she met and married Lawrence A. (L.A.) Merk on October 29,1945. L.A. preceded her in death in 1985. Peg is survived by her 9 children, 15 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, 1 brother and 1 sister and numerous nieces and nephews. Peg worked as a Title 1 reading teacher aide, serving the students of St.Patricks School. She was passionate about teaching kids to read. Each of her kids had to sit and read to her while she ironed school uniform shirts. We each had our turn to read. She was proud of her service in the Navy and always said she fought the Battle of Pasco but the wind and sand won, although she was in the Navy, she never set foot on a boat. She was active in the parish St. Patrick's Altar Society, served as a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout Den Mother and loved attending daily Mass. She enjoyed spending time with her family playing cards, reading, and knitting. She was known to her kids as"HEYMOM" since that is how most conversations started and as "COOKIE GRANDMA" or just "COOKIE" to her Grandchildren. Peg was a strict disciplinarian and her favorite response when asked "How are you?" was "Mean as Ever." Mean..NO, Strict..YES. Peg loved her family, loved her church, and loved the Lord. The family would like to thank Desert Haven for their quality care of our mother in the last years. We would also like to thank Hospice for their services. Donations can be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society in Pasco.