Marguerite 'Peggy' Gilcher Burge, 69
Marguerite “Peggy” Gilcher Burge, 69, died Aug. 16, surrounded by her family, grandchildren, friends and joy of life.
As a long-time Dover resident and councilwoman and manager of the Bonner General Hospital emergency room and hospital, Peggy helped many people and was known for her love, compassion, feistiness and quick wit. She was a fearless advocate in her many roles, most importantly as a mother and grandmother.
As a cancer patient, Peggy was a strength and inspiration to many even offering an ear to other patients during her final month of life. Peggy donated her body to medical research, a fitting tribute for a woman of medicine and friend of humanity who so badly wants to help find a cure for the disease.
Born March 24, 1947, near Cleveland, Ohio, Peggy was the oldest of two children by Carl Russell Gilcher and Dorothy Bat-langer. She graduated from Rush (Catholic) High School in 1965 and then earned her associate degree in nursing from Cuyahoga Community College and worked as a registered nurse for nearly 50 years.
Peggy served on the Idaho State Board of Health and Welfare for seven years.
On June 17, 1967, Peggy married Steve Burge, who she met in 1960 when he took over her brother’s paper route. The couple soon moved West and had two children while living on Gold Cup Mountain near Priest River, where they met many friends with similar beliefs and “hippie” lifestyles.
Stephany was born in 1973 and Ian in 1977, both at Bonner General Hospital where Peggy worked.
The family moved to Dover in 1982, the community that be came their home.
Peggy served two different stints on the Dover City Council, the first time active in the movement to incorporate the small mill town. After a short hiatus, Peggy returned to help guide the town’s growth and redevelopment.
The family lives in a house that was floated up the river after a fire in 1922 destroyed the original mill a few miles down the river in Laclede. The yard is filled with roses, many heirlooms from Dover families.
Peggy loved spending time with family and friends, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed sitting by the shore of her lakefront cabin at Pine Cove and soaking in the peace and beauty.
She is survived by husband Steve Burge, two children Stephany (Tim) Spencer of Moscow, and Ian (Heather Nucifora) Burge of Sandpoint, grandchildren Zack Spencer and Helen Spencer of Moscow along with other family and friends.
Preceded in death by her parents and younger brother.
A celebration of Peggy’s life is Oct. 8 at the Gardenia Center in Sandpoint. The public is invited to the 5 p.m. celebration that is followed by refreshments. Bring your tears, memories and laughter.
In lieu of flowers, make donations to the Cancer Center of Sandpoint or to cancer research.