Peggy Quick & Family

by NancyLee Honey Marsh   
Photography by Christian Lee

There was hubbub aplenty in the Quick household when four generations of lovely ladies greeted me in the hallway of Peggy Quick’s handsome Sea Pines home. Peggy introduced her Mom, Cora Good, her daughter, Angela Quick Michuda, and 10-month old granddaughter, baby Cora. Suddenly, two golden retrievers—Wrigley and Tanner—squeezed in between us and politely herded the group into the family room.

As I sat down, Wrigley quickly offered me his wet flip-flop. Baby Cora giggled in Mom Angela’s arms, while Luke, baby Cora’s brother, produced his blue truck for me. The 91-year-old matriarch, Cora Good, laughed with her daughter Peggy at the boisterous and happy scene.

It was a bright contrast from the days Cora (nicknamed Oma for grandmother) experienced under Japanese occupation in her Indonesian residence in the 1940s. “Fortunately, she was not in her home when the Japanese arrived and seized her sisters,” Peggy said. “Had she not been caring for her future father-in-law in another home, Mom would have suffered the trauma of a Japanese prison camp as did her siblings.

“Mom met and married my dad in Indonesia. They immigrated to the Netherlands, and then, sponsored by Bushnel Congregational Church in Detroit, they brought me to grow up in America in 1956.”  Cora nodded, remembering her past.

Tall, energetic Gary Quick, Peggy’s husband, shook my hand, glanced around at the gaggle of gals and announced he was going for a run. Surely, he was accustomed to excitement; he’s won 11 medals in 23 5K runs he’s entered since 2008.

Gary and Peggy’s romance and marriage is a true love story that has flourished for 40 years. They met at the Ford Motor Company, where they both worked in June and Gary proposed in August. “We were married in Las Vegas that October and honeymooned in the Hawaiian Islands!” Peggy said. The Quicks started vacationing on Hilton Head in the late ‘70s and in 2008, began living in Sea Pines part time.

“We started going to the Pink Partini parties and loved them,” said Peggy. Quickly, she produced a stack of Pink Magazines and we counted at least 14 times Peggy and Gary, or Peggy and her Mom had been photographed. Wrigley and Tanner drooled on the pet page where they found their picture!   
Wiggling in Angela’s grasp, baby Cora bounced up and down and merrily clapped her hands, as Peggy sang a Dutch song to her. “My parents spoke Dutch to me when I was growing up, but I usually responded in English, as I wanted to be sure I could speak it fluently.” Peggy smiled at baby Cora who was poised for clapping once again to the snappy Dutch tune from her “Oma.”

Peggy has always been diverse in her interests and excelled in many different areas. “We’ve owned five golden retrievers since 1977 and I trained dogs in tracking and obedience and showed our first golden, who won titles in obedience.” She was also an avid tennis player for 10 years. Peggy shifted from tennis and returned to her life long love…dancing. “It’s been my passion since I was very young. Now it’s Zumba. I started it when it first became popular. I truly enjoy group fitness, so I’m participating in Pilates and kettle bell.” Peggy emphasized, “I always believed in helping oneself and healing the natural way with herbs, exercise and a positive attitude.”

Angela, who graduated from Michigan State University, sat listening to her mom and interjected, “My mom was always active in PTA and always had a camera in her hand. I guess seeing her with a camera all the time was contagious.” Angela is leaving teaching and embarking on a new career in photography when she and her husband Steve return to Illinois.

Peggy looked over at Cora. She is proud and complimentary of her mother. Peggy said, “My Mom is extremely sensitive and has a heart of gold. You’d never guess what she enjoys besides cooking and sewing. She loves reading magazines, especially Hollywood ones!”

The scene quieted a bit, as the four generations bathed in their valued togetherness. Peggy glanced around the room and declared, “Life is good and we are thankful for and enjoying every day.” The Quicks are regular attendees at St-Andrews-by-the Sea church; their four-generations strong family bond is an inspiration and reminder of life’s blessings.

Up Close:

Cora Good’s joy: “Being able to cook filet mignon!”

Peggy’s Whoopee (aka Huapala): "I was an avid hula dancer with a Hawaiian Band. I was first runner-up in the Miss Michigan Dance Masters competition at age 18."

Angela’s legacy: Handiwork, photography and precious time together.

Baby Cora’s happy time:  Dutch songs

Peggy’s midnight hobby: Playing words. “The new tech game Words with Friends connects me with all my wordy friends!”