Peggy O'Neale Smith Price

Peggy O’Neale Smith Price passed away peacefully on February 7, 2023, at Adventist Health Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Throughout her 82 years, Peggy was known for her joyful, creative, vibrant, loving, and adventurous spirit.  

Born in Charleston, South Carolina on September 22, 1940, Peggy was the daughter of the late Joseph Will Smith and the late Julia Louise O’Neale Smith. Raised alongside her younger brother, the late Joseph Will Smith Junior, Peggy enjoyed a childhood filled with sunshine, sports, music, dance, family and friends.

Peggy attended Julian Mitchell Elementary School, Rivers High School and then transferred and graduated from Murray Vocational High School, class of 1958. Peggy excelled in many academic areas and was proud to have been Head Cheerleader, Co-Captain of the basketball team and Vice President of her Senior Class. Upon graduating she was awarded The Daughters of the American Revolution Award for Citizenship, Courage, and Leadership. She was also awarded the Senior Superlative of ‘Best Dancer’! Later in life, Peggy studied archaeology through continuing education courses at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts.

After high school, Peggy worked as a secretary in the Department of Public Works office at the Charleston Naval Shipyard. She then attended the University of South Carolina School of Business Administration. Upon graduating, Peggy was employed at Citizens and Southern National Bank as secretary to the Senior Trust Officer.  Later she made the exciting move to Teaneck, New Jersey where she worked at Morgan Guaranty Trust Company on Wall Street in New York City.

Peggy and Frederick Price, (her husband of twenty years), raised their three daughters between the states of Colorado, South Carolina and Maine.  She was a very loving and dedicated mother who never missed an event or special occasion and beamed with pride whenever it came to her family. Peggy also spent many wonderful years making memories with her six grandchildren from Coastal Maine to the Pacific Northwest.

Peggy was a very talented and creative entrepreneur and had a variety of other professional endeavors. 

While living in Maine, she co-owned an antique and general store, owned and operated a bakery, created and managed a bed & breakfast and was a vendor in a variety of farmers markets. In South Carolina, Peggy was proud to manage The Night Market at the historic Charleston City Market, as well as The South Carolina Artisans Center in Walterboro.  

Peggy (self-named, “Apronologist”) joyfully spent most of her retirement days sewing from dawn until dusk in her beloved, “She Shed” in the Big Valley Woods of Boring, Oregon. She also served as a curator at The Philip Foster Farm (on the Oregon Trail) in Eagle Creek. Most recently, Peggy created her signature, “hostess aprons” from her charming cottage in Gresham and found great joy in being a vendor at the Mt Hood Farmers Market in Sandy.

Peggy was an adventurous free spirit with impeccable style. She charmed all who crossed her path and has left a lasting impression on many! Some of her passions included; shag dancing, piano playing, watching and playing sports, gardening, interior design, exploring by train, studying archaeology, being with family, celebrating everything and finding joy and a good laugh wherever she went.

Peggy is survived by many friends and her loving family; Daughters: Rebecca Price and partner Scott in Portland, Oregon, Eliza Tremblay and husband Matthew in Biddeford, Maine, and Allison Price Lang and husband Tommy in Gresham, Oregon as well as six grandchildren: Solomon, Una, Koby, Graham, Lakely and Nolan. She is also survived by her dear cousin, Linda Youngblood of Charleston, SC and family.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in the name of Peggy Price that will directly support local crafters and artisans in the communities that made a positive impact in her life: https://givebutter.com/c/peggyoneale. Private services with her immediate family will be held this Spring.