Peggy Elaine Messina's Obituary
Peggy Elaine Marcey (Melcher) Messina went to be with our Lord on July 24, 2025. At the age of 88.
She was born on January 24th, 1937, in Southwest Washington DC. She graduated from Eastern High School in Washington DC in 1955. After graduating, she immediately went to work in Washington DC for Acala life insurance company.
After a short time with Acala, she went to work with the DC public school system for several years. During that time, she got married and had her daughter Julie Dawn Melcher. After leaving the school system, she went to work at the Navy yard in DC for 3 and 1/2 years.
She then transferred to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Headquarters, in 1962.
After 20 years with NASA, she retired in June 1982. Still wanting to be active she went into Retail/Sales/Merchandising for 16 years at the main exchange at Andrew's Air Force Bace in Camp Springs Maryland. She was a Beauty Advisor with Revlon for 8 and 1/2 years, then 8 years as a merchandiser.
She loved working and enjoying being around people. So, she rented a space and ran an Upscale Thrift Boutique for 8 years. Also provided shopping service. All the while she sold Avon for 12 years. She won many awards from both Revlon and Avon.
Her passion was dancing. Learning the old-fashioned Jitterbug at 7 years old. She danced all during her teen years at all the teen dance clubs. Then, at the adult clubs later on.
The love of dancing was so strong. She had enrolled her daughter "Julie" in a dance studio at the age of three and a half years old. Julie stuck with it and ended up owning her own studio for 32 years. Of course, Peggy was involved with all of Julie’s dance journeys. Lessons, recitals, dancing - professionally and instruction; Peggy helped with the studio in any way she could.
Peggy was a lovable caring person and loved to help other people. She volunteered within any organization she joined.
She was a member of Mariner's Bethel United Methodist Church in Ocean View, Delaware for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Myrtle Virginia Marcey and Frank Eugene Marcey; and her sister Jean Lockard. Her only child, Julie Dawn Melcher Rayle, also preceded her in death in 2014. She was also preceded in death by her two former husbands Jack David (Sonny) Melcher (2021) and Steroids Tyrus Messina. In March 2024, her oldest grandson, James E. Rayle, Jr. went to live with the Lord. She is survived by 2 grandchildren Jeffrey W. Rayle and Dawn Marie Rayle and a great grand-daughter Ashlynne Renee Martin-Rayle. Also, her longtime companion and friend Howard L. Simons Jr.
Services are as follows:
Ocean View Chapel of Melson’s Funeral Home
38040 Muddy Neck Rd.
Ocean View, Delaware
August 1, 2025
Viewing: 12:00 p.m.
Service: 1:00 p.m.
What’s your fondest memory of Peggy?
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Share a story where Peggy's kindness touched your heart.
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