Peggy Lynn O’Neal Haigler, 53, of Vero Beach, passed away unexpectedly.
She is survived by her loving husband Dan and their four sons Daniel, Michael, Patrick and Desmond; her two grandchildren Samantha and Allie; her parents Robert and Gloria; her sister Susan and brother Robert.
She was born on Sept.13, 1961, in Baltimore, Md., to Robert and Gloria O’Neal who reside in Vero Beach. She attended school in West Virginia and Maryland and completed her education in Salzburg, Austria.
Haigler met her future husband Wilson “Dan” Haigler while living with her parents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and they were married on Nov. 13, 1979, in Fairfax, Va.
She operated her own business for several years in Virginia before giving it up to spend full time raising her family. Haigler and her family moved to Vero Beach in 2003 where she designed and built her “dream house.” She was an excellent gardener, cook, home decorator and loving mother. She was an avid reader regarding the study of the universe and would spend hours discussing scientific theories with her youngest son Desmond and her father.
Haigler was a volunteer at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, enthusiastic about pursuing her lifelong interest in marine science. She was inspired by the Indian River lagoon and the ocean that she lived alongside. Her youngest son Desmond attends St. Edward’s high school where Peggy supported sporting activities of the school and was loved by students, parents, and facility alike.
Her love of family and her spirit for life in the face of adversity will live on in all us who cherished her in life. To my sweetheart Peg: May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. And rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, at Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home, 1950 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960. A Celebration of Peggy’s Life will begin at 3 p.m., with L.C. Campbell officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (http://www.ccfa.org/get-involved/donate-to-ccfa/honors-and- memorial.html). Online condolences may be made at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.
