President's Message - January 2026

Preparing the annual report for 2025 brought back fond memories of new activities we launched last year and new friendships that landed on our doorstep. Having to say goodbye to Peggy Streeter, who was such an important part of our community, is so hard. In recent years, Peggy was part of the kitchen corps who came in the day before Sunday dinners to prepare the feast, and then served us as shown here with the traditional Park Church tomato beef soup. I found this photo in my phone of how I'll always remember her, with a smile and an apron! We already miss her so much.

Here's what appeared on the Mclnerny website:

Margaret Baxter Streeter Peggy, age 85 passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, January 12, 2026. Margaret Ruth Baxter was born in Elmira on April 15, 1940. Peggy was the daughter of the late Miriam and Rexford Baxter. She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Charles Martin Streeter, Jr., her grandson Macy Streeter and son-inlaw Tom Davin. Peggy is survived by daughter Molly S. Davin of Newport Beach, CA and her daughters Meredith, Caroline and Lexi Davin; son Jeffrey B. Streeter with wife Barbara Yunis of Elmira, and their son Baxter Streeter; daughter Julia S. Berle of Dallas, TX and her children Baxter, Peter and Eliza Berle; brothers Paul G. and sister-in-law Marilyn Baxter of Pinehurst, NC and Douglas S. and Charlene Baxter of Londonderry, NH; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Constance S. and Peter MacInnis of Fort Meyers, FL; along with several nieces and nephews. Peggy was a graduate of The Mary A. Burham school in Northampton, MA and Centenary College in Hackettstown, NJ.

Peggy was an active member of The Park Church, on the Board of the Arnot Ogden Medical Center, a volunteer at the Arctic League and an Active and Sustaining member of the Junior League of Elmira/Corning. She was a member of the Elmira Country Club and the Elmira City Club. Peggy loved to travel, was an avid reader, and a wonderful cook. Her grandchildren enjoyed spending time in the kitchen baking and cooking with her. She grew up going to Keuka Lake, and later she and Charlie built a cottage on Seneca Lake. Peggy enjoyed her travels, but would always return saying, "There's no place like home!"

Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service to be held at The Park Church, 208 W. Gray Street, Elmira, on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 1:00pm. A private burial will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery. Those wishing to, may remember Peggy by donating to Arnot Health; arnothealth.org or the Arctic League, P.O. Box 113, Elmira, NY 14902; arcticleague.com.

We are blessed and surrounded by people like Peggy in this congregation. May we never forget how much her graciousness and good humor improved the quality of our lives.

Blessings, Jenny