Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

-Leo Buscaglia

April 21, 2017 – Peggy Wilkinson worked as a nurse at Raleigh Children & Adolescents Medicine from December 30th, 1985 through December 31st, 2011. Peggy passed away this past Saturday morning.

Her obituary was published in Tuesday’s News & Observer. It can also be found here online.

This jarring news has shaken those at RCAM who worked with her.

Peggy spent 26 years with us.

We knew Peggy as a wife and a proud mother. It was clear to her co-workers that she loved her son Sam and spending time with her family was very important to her.

Over 26 years, we knew her as a friend.

Office manager Debbie Maness remembered that Peggy was among the first to bring you a casserole when preparing your own meal was being overshadowed by illness, grief, or (in better times) a new baby.

Pediatrician Muff Carr remembered – among other things – Peggy’s cranberry salad at office potlucks. Peggy was also a fierce competitor when it came to our white elephant office holiday party..

But we knew Peggy best as a nurse.

Twenty-six years represents a lot of phone calls trying to help a weary parent on the other end of the phone line. It includes countless efforts to ease an anxious child through their visit to the doctor.

Measuring growth. Assessing hearing and vision. Collecting and performing labwork. Giving vaccines. Documentation. Peggy was said to be a “meticulous and tireless worker.”

She knew a nurse’s workday focused on doing what needed to be done to help our most valued – our children.

And she loved it.

The other morning as the news spread through our office, Debbie thought for awhile and then it came to her. She said, “Peggy loved being a nurse.”

That is one way we will definitely remember our dear friend Peggy..