Velma was born in Kansas City, Mo., to Croatian immigrant parents, Joseph and Matija Lubich. Her family later moved to Portland, where she was joined by a sister. In her teenage years, she decided to call herself Peggy, and that is how we all have come to know her. Peggy grew up in Northwest Portland, attended St. Patrick Grade School, St. Marys Academy and graduated from Oregon State University in 1945. After graduation, she moved to New York City to attend the Barbizon School of Modeling, to pursue her interest in a career in modeling.

She returned home to attend a friends and family gathering, and there met Matt Kuzmanich, Jr. and did not return to New York City. They were married on June 21, 1947 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. At the time of Matt’s passing in 2009, they had been married for 62 years. Peggy focused her energy and attention on her husband and raising her five children. After her oldest child left for college, she returned to work at US National Bank, from which she retired. Work afforded her the opportunity to be downtown, shop on her lunch hours and be independent. Peggy had to learn to be very resourceful because Matt loved camping, fishing and hunting, none of which she had done growing up.

Peggy is survived by her sister, Mary Ann Lubich; and her five children, Linda (Larry) Moomaw, Susan Kravets, Michael (Cindy) Kuzmanich, Kathy (Robert) Prahl, and Gregory (Pam) Kuzmanich; eleven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

All of her family will miss her enormously. Peggy spent the last four years of her life in the F.R.T. adult foster home. The family is very grateful for the kindness, compassion and excellent care she received there.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 7, 2016, at St. John Fisher Catholic Church, 7007 SW 46th Avenue, Portland, OR 97219. Private interment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Remembrances can be made to St. John Fisher Catholic Church. Funeral arrangements made by Riverview Abbey Funeral Home.

Mass of Christian Burial

11:00 AM ,Monday, November 7, 2016
St. John Fisher Catholic Church
7007 SW 46th Avenue Portland, OR 97219