Miriam 'Peg' Kathleen Ponti

Miriam "Peg" Kathleen Ponti passed away at St. Mary Medical Center on March 6, 2007, at the age of 85.

She was born on Nov. 6, 1921, in Milton-Freewater, Ore., to William Henry and Frances Hall Powell. She attended Milton-Freewater area schools and graduated McLoughlin High School in 1938. She attended most of her grade school years in Milton-Freewater, Ore., She married John P. Ponti in College Place, Wash., in June of 1939. They had four children, two boys and two girls. She was a mother, housewife, and farmer's wife. She worked for nine years at the Oregon Bank in Milton-Freewater prior to moving to Moses Lake in 1968. In 1999, she moved back to Milton-Freewater, Ore., to live with her son and daughter-in-law until her death.

Her day did not begin until she had a cup of coffee. She enjoyed flower gardening, reading, sewing, traveling, "out-fishing" her husband and visiting with her many friends. She was very active in her faith and strengthened the faith of many others. She was very involved with her children and took great pleasure in her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church of Milton-Freewater, Ore.

She is survived by her two daughters Deborah R. Ponti of Fountain, Colo., and Rebecca Jean Flory of Lebanon, Ore., her son John and wife Jean Ponti of Milton-Freewater, Ore., her sister Gloria C. Franklin of Weston, Ore., seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by parents, husband John Phillip Ponti in 1996 and son David James Ponti in 1956.

Rosary was recited at 6:30 p.m. on March 11 at Chapel of Herring Funeral Home with Sister Helen Mason of St. Francis Catholic Church. Viewing and visitation were held March 11.

Funeral mass was held at 10 a.m. March 12 at St. Francis Catholic Church with Father Patrick Kerst.

There is a private family interment. Pallbearers are Bruce Flory, John L. Ponti, Glen Cummings, David Cummings, Kerry Ponti and Brian Muirhead.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice through the Herring Funeral Home.