Margaret Ann “Peggy” Tourville passed away peacefully on February 10, 2024 after battling multiple chronic health conditions. Peggy was a force of nature; she never let any of her illnesses affect her sense of humor or her desire to live life to the absolute fullest. She will be remembered fondly for her strong will, unwavering generosity, and how fiercely she loved those of us lucky enough to know her.
Though the early years of her life were difficult — she and her brother, Ben were dropped off at an orphanage when she was only two, and he was four — she made the other years of her life all about finding joy, spreading love, and cultivating friendship. She and Ben were adopted, at ages four and six respectively, by Joseph Maurice and Martha (“Dotty”) Leiper Lentz and raised in Coulterville, Illinois. She spent most of her life in Belleville, Illinois, after marrying the great love of her life, Carl Tourville, with whom she raised her pride and joy: their son Jonathan. Peggy worked as a teacher’s aide for years, and she always had a special place in her heart for her special education students.
Peggy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Carl, both of her parents, and many special dogs, including Joker, Shelby, and Sugar-Bear. She is survived by her son, Jon Tourville and daughter-in-law Jenny Stedham; her brother and best friend Ben Lentz and sister-in-law Carol Lentz; brother- and sister-in-law Harry “Bobie” and Shirley Tourville; three nephews; two nieces; and her beloved Dachshund, Noodle. Peggy is also survived by her “Soul Sistas,” an incredible group of women, each of whom she loved to the moon and back: Teresa Case; Joyce Eiserle; Barb Nicholson; and Sharon Groom.
Peggy loved animals and was a lifelong advocate for adopting pets from local shelters and rescues. In lieu of flowers, Peggy specifically requested that donations be made to Belleville Area Humane Society (https://bahspets.org/), where she adopted her dog, Noodle, or to your local animal shelter, humane society, or rescue.
Peggy also requested that a celebration of life, rather than a funeral, be held in her honor. The family will be planning a special celebration for late spring or early summer 2024 in Belleville, Illinois.
