Margaret Louise Casey

Margaret Louise “Peggy” Casey, age 85, passed away peacefully in Seattle, Washington.

Peggy was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, the beloved daughter of James and Josephine Buckley. At the age of 3, she moved with her family to Scarsdale, New York, where she spent most of her childhood. At 16, her family relocated to Portland, Oregon, when her father—affectionately known as “Pop Pop”—expanded his career with Georgia Pacific, one of the nation's leading timber companies. Though initially heartbroken by the move, Peggy embraced the change, and it marked the beginning of many meaningful chapters in her life.

Peggy met the love of her life, Brian Casey, at a high school dance, and they married in 1963. Together, they raised three beautiful children: Karen Burke, Chris Casey, and Kelly Steen. Peggy and Brian were true partners in every sense. After relocating to Seattle, Washington, for Brian’s corporate opportunity with Pacific Institute, Peggy joined him in his work and served as his assistant in their shared Good News Ministry.

Peggy had a generous heart and a strong sense of service. She volunteered at Mount St. Vincent, where she assisted elderly nuns and found great joy in giving back. She also had a deep passion for digital painting, particularly color-by-number art, delighting family and friends with her vibrant and meticulous creations. She also loved sharing enriching stories about her upbringing, life experiences, and the journey that shaped her—offering wisdom, humor, and heartfelt perspective to those around her.

Peggy was a woman of deep faith, with a profound admiration for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her devotion brought her great comfort throughout her life.

Peggy is survived by her loving children:

• Karen Burke (Terry Burke)

• Chris Casey (Lisa Casey)

• Kelly Steen (Dan Steen)

She is also lovingly remembered by her grandchildren:

• Sean Casey

• Matthew Steen

• Tyler Simon (Wendy Simon)

Peggy will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Her legacy of love, faith, and service lives on. May she rest in eternal peace, embraced by the light of Christ and the gentle presence of the Blessed Mother she so dearly loved.

At last, Peggy is reunited with her beloved husband, Brian Casey.

A Sign of Peace: The Seagull

Let me share a story that means so much to me—and to my brother and sister. It’s about the seagull pictured above, and the powerful message it brought us during our mom’s final days.

Just before Mom passed away, the three of us were talking about how we could feel she was getting ready to go. We were reflecting on her strength, her grace, and the peaceful sense that her time was near. I remember saying, “We need a sign—something to show us she’s ready.” And then I suddenly said, “A seagull!” My brother and sister looked at me with puzzled expressions. “A seagull?” they asked, half-laughing.

When we arrived at the hospital and met with the doctor, we were preparing ourselves to make a final decision about Mom’s care. My sister stepped out to use the restroom, and just moments later, she gasped and called us urgently to the window.

We followed her—and there, perched calmly on the window ledge, was a large, white seagull.

But this wasn’t just any window. We were on the same exact floor where Mom was in the ICU. The hospital has 13 floors—yet somehow, this seagull had found its way to our floor, many stories up, and was sitting right there, as if waiting for us.

The seagull stared directly at us, as if delivering a message. Then, slowly and gracefully, it spread its wings. In that quiet, sacred moment, the three of us felt it in our hearts—she was letting us know she was ready.

The seagull didn’t leave right away. It waited with us, quietly present. And after Mom passed, we looked again… and it was gone.

To us, that seagull wasn’t just a bird—it was a sign. A beautiful moment of connection. A message of peace, letting us know she was ready to go and that she wasn’t leaving us without a goodbye.

We’ll carry that moment with us forever.

And we hope, in sharing it, that it brings you a little comfort too.

--Kelly Steen, Daughter