Beloved grandmother, Covina fixture, “Hollywood girl”

Peggy McCarter died on January 12, 2013 in Covina, California. She was 89.

Mrs. McCarter was born Margaret May Blair on August 7, 1923 to John and Ruth Blair in Hollywood, California, where she attended elementary, junior and high school.

Mrs. McCarter married the love of her life, Bill McCarter, on August 22, 1942 in Hollywood Methodist Church. She called herself a “Hollywood girl.”

While Mr. McCarter was serving in the European theatre of World War II, Mrs. McCarter worked at Douglas Aircraft. “It’s a wonder we won,” she used to joke. She then worked for Pacific Bell until the arrival of her first son, Don, in 1953. After the McCarters moved to their new Covina dream home in 1955, they welcomed a second son, Bob, in 1957.

In 1964, Mrs. McCarter began work for the city of Covina Parks and Recreation Department and continued to work part-time for the next 39 years. She started as an arts and crafts lady, became a playground aid at Covina schools and operated the student store at South Hills High School. She also taught dance and the PACE class at the Joslyn Senior Center in Covina, called Bingo at Covina Park and was Madam Yolanda the Fortune Teller on Halloween, to the amusement of many.  

As a volunteer, she delivered Meals on Wheels for the Red Cross until the age of 86. Her granddaughters tell a story that “at like, 75, when we were going on her Meals on Wheels delivery route, she would say, ‘I’m not going to be like these old people.’” When asked once if there was anyone on the route older than herself, she thought a minute and said, “No.” 

Mrs. McCarter was a stalwart supporter of Covina United Methodist Church for more than 50 years. She played bridge twice a month with friends and was a speedy “Plaza Pacer” at the West.

Mrs. McCarter was known by generations of Covina’s school kids and seniors as “a smiling, helpful gal,” according to family. One of her granddaughters wrote, “Rest in peace to my Grandma Peg, whose life was spent going out of her way to make other people feel happy, important and loved. A lot of people love you, and there really is no way to say how much you will be missed.”

Mrs. McCarter was preceded in death by her husband Bill and her son Bob. She is survived by her son Don, his wife Lisa and granddaughters Megan, Rachel, Elena and Andi, all of Claremont.

There will be a service for Mrs. McCarter on Monday, January 21, 2013 at 1 p.m. at Oakdale Mortuary in Glendora, located at 401 S. Grand Ave. on the corner of Gladstone.  A viewing will be held preceding the service, from 11 a.m. to noon.