Peggy Joleen Bollaert (Bradish), 79

In Loving Memory of Peggy Joleen Bollaert (Bradish) 1945-2025.

Peggy Joleen Bollaert beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister and friend, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2025, after a courageous five­year journey with Parkinson’s Disease. She was 79.

Peggy is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, Raymond Bollaert, and her three loving daughters Jodi, Lisa, and Jamie. She was the proud and adoring grandmother of Kennedy Smeznik (Chance), Michael and John Tkalcac (parents Lisa and son-in-law Butch Tkalcac), and Jackson (Leah) Carter (Olivia), and Grace Staley (parent Jamie Bollaert and partner Paul Bush) and the delighted great-grandmother of Baylan Staley and Chandler Jo Smeznik, whose arrival brought her joy in her final year. Peggy is also survived by many special nieces and nephews.

Born in Adrian, Michigan, to Russell and Glee Bradish, Peggy grew up with a love of dogs, horses, swimming, and friendship. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Tim and is lovingly remembered by her sisters Deidre (Fischer) and Tammy (McVeigh).

Peggy was an extraordinary quilter, crafter, and teacher. For more than 40 years, she designed and created beautiful quilts and handmade gifts. In the 1980s, she opened The Country Bobbin, a quilt shop in Capac, where she shared her passion for fabric with the local community. She generously taught others to sew, quilt, knit, and crochet and her famous slippers will continue to warm the feet and hearts of generations to come. Peggy also worked as a realtor in Imlay City, with the same dedication and care she brought to all areas of her life.

Peggy’s favorite place was Canada Creek Ranch in Northern Michigan, where she and her family spent over 50 wonderful years. She was an active member of the Thunderbay Quilt Guild and formed lasting friendships in the quilting and CCR community. She was a beautiful soul – gentle, generous, and strong, and deeply loved by her family, friends, and the compassionate caregivers at Lakeshore Woods Assisted Living in Port Huron. She will be deeply missed.

The family will celebrate Peggy’s life at a near-future date and location. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Thunderbay Quilt Guild in support of their charity work, in which Peggy also took part.