Peggy Joyce Tortorice

TORTORICE, Peggy Joyce - Age 93, of Presque Isle and Flint, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 10, 2024.  Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, June 20, 2024, at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek.  Fr. Jeff Martin officiating.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home Wednesday from 2-8 PM.  Those desiring may make contributions to the Genesee County Educational Foundation or the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.  Born February 12, 1931, in Weona, Arkansas, to Neal and Gertrude (Bottom) Dean, Peggy’s beginnings were humble, yet filled with extraordinary love, guidance, and opportunity.  She spoke of her parents, siblings, and childhood with adoration and gratitude.  After graduating Marked Tree High School in 1948 as a three-time member of their all-state championship girls’ basketball team, the blue-eyed beauty traveled the country from 1948 - 1951 playing with Hazel Walker’s Arkansas Travelers, a professional women’s basketball team that played only men’s teams under men’s rules and winning 85% of their games! Nicknamed “Dead Eye Dean”, Peggy was known for her 3-point shots from the top of the key.  She chose the best-looking sailor, James “Turtle” Tortorice, and married him in Tupelo, MS on December 19, 1948.  Turtle and Peg went on to make a happy and comfortable life for themselves, settling in Clio, Michigan, and raising four beautiful children: Tony, Linda, Brenda, and Wade.  A graduate of C.S. Mott Community College, the University of Michigan - Flint, and Central Michigan University, Peggy spent her career as a Registered Nurse, Educator, and fierce advocate for public health and education.  She served on various local, county and state-wide committees and Boards of Education for 41 years, with 31 of those years as an elected member of the Genesee Intermediate School District’s (GISD) Board of education.  Peggy dedicated her time, energy, and brainpower to education quality and reform on behalf of all Michigan students.  During her tenure, Peggy led the effort to create Mott Middle College - the first of its kind in Michigan.   After retiring from Saginaw Public Schools in 1997 as a Nurse Occupation Educator, Peggy joined Turtle in their little slice of paradise on Grand Lake in Presque Isle County with their dog, Sassy #2.  They loved life on the lake and always expressed appreciation for Mike, Beth, and Eric Rice, who made it possible for Peg and Turtle to maintain a life of independence as they aged far away from immediate family. Anyone who knew Peggy knew about and most likely received one of her famous pecan pies sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas each year.  Her record year was 225 pies baked and delivered to her favorite friends, family, and community members.  Every single Georgia pecan was gently and uniformly placed with care on every pie Peggy ever made. Surviving are children Linda J. (Al Ross) Tortorice, Brenda L. Tortorice, William Wade (Tracey) Tortorice; Grandchildren Brigitte Ross-Gwin, Lisa (Kurt) Podschlne, Matthew Tortorice, Melissa (John) Plunkey, Eric Cousineau, and Nathan (Tara) Tortorice; Great-grandchildren Megan, Blake, Zachery, Madison, Milo, Hunter, Bruce, Dylan, Caden, Kingston, and Violet; Great-great grandchildren Rocky and Milo; and many special nieces and nephews who lovingly referred to their Aunt Peg as “Sarg”.  Peggy was preceded in death by her parents; siblings; husband of 62 years, Turtle; son, Tony; grandson, Aaron. In the last years of her independent life, there were a handful of special friends that made the quality of Peggy’s life amazing.  Terry and Ted Toll, Angel and Tim Materia, and Kaye Johnson - thank you for spending time and doing favors.  To the staff at Flint Heights Terrace - thank you for looking in on Peggy.  Special thank you to the staff of Medilodge of Alpena for providing Peggy with a safe, caring, and comfortable environment in her last days. Online tributes may be posted on the obituaries page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com