Margaret “Peg” Kathryn Whitesitt, 83, of Stevensville passed away peacefully on January 29, 2025 in Stevensville, MT with her family by her side.
She was born, along with her twin brother James “Jim,” on June 28, 1941 in Great Falls, MT to Stewart “Bud” and Margaret Moore. She spent her childhood in Whitehall, making many trips back and forth to her grandparents homestead. Peg attended school in Whitehall, where she was active in the band as a cornet player. She graduated in 1959 and then attended Western Montana College of Education in Dillon for one year. During that time, she met the love of her life, H. Dean Whitesitt of Stevensville.
Dean and Peg were married September 17, 1960 and spent the next 65 years by each other’s side. Dean was frequently heard saying, “We are the perfect team.” After their wedding, they left Montana so Dean could finish mortuary school in Los Angeles, CA. Upon his graduation, Dean accepted a job in Livingston, MT and they returned to Montana. While in Livingston, they welcomed their daughter, Vicki, into the family. A few years later, a move to Kalispell brought them their son, Dan. In 1972, Dean and Peg were called back to the Bitterroot Valley to take over the family business, Whitesitt Funeral Home, which had been in Dean’s family since 1902. They owned and operated Whitesitt Funeral Home together for 39 years until retiring in 2011.
Peg was a very special woman in many respects, and she was quite the cook. Some of her best-known recipes included her apple pie, chocolate chip cookies, and homemade applesauce. Additionally, she was known by the families she and Dean served at the funeral home for “her” lasagna. After funeral services, many families would ask her for the recipe, to which she would quickly reply with the family recipe – simply purchase a full-sized Kirkland Signature lasagna from Costco and bake it. Peg’s other hobbies included sewing, quilting, and when time permitted, oil painting.
Throughout her life, Peg was active in many organizations. She firmly believed the motto “When you start a project, don’t be a quitter – see it through.” While in Kalispell, she served as President of the Jayceens. She was a 4-H Leader for the Bitterroot Belles & Beaus and was in charge of the sewing program for many years. Around 1975, recognizing the need for organized summer sports, she partnered with John Munk to start the Stevensville Baseball Association. Peg also served as Secretary for the First Baptist Church of Stevensville.
Her community service extended further – she was a longtime volunteer with the Stevensville Civic Club, serving as an officer for many years. She was instrumental in establishing two beloved Stevensville traditions: the annual 4th of July “Pignic” and the December Christmas Stroll, which featured the lighting of Main Street. Peg also chaired the local American Heart Association and was an area leader for fundraising drives for the American Cancer Society and the March of Dimes.
Peg and the trusty 1968 1/2 cab Bronco played a significant role in helping develop a river park at the Bitterroot River in Stevensville. Peg and her good friend Billie Schwartz worked diligently to ensure a walking path was built to the river so that people could enjoy the park and river. Peg also helped found Loving/Helping Hands (now Pantry Partners) in 1976, initially operating out of a small room at the back of Lloyd Eickert’s Realty. She and Dean dedicated countless hours to organizing and running the Creamery Picnic, handling everything from managing queen candidates and selling booth spaces to organizing the Kiddie and Grand Parades.
Peg also gave back to Stevensville by supporting the Fire Department in any way they needed during Dean’s 37 years of service as a firefighter. Additionally, she and many others helped establish the Booster Club Christmas Bazaar, which played a critical role in securing funding to sustain Stevensville High School’s athletic programs. Peg also served on the Board of Directors for Community Medical Center in Missoula.
In retirement, Peg remained active until her health forced her to slow down. Her mornings in retirement followed a familiar routine – at 10 a.m. each day for over 30 years, she and Dean gathered with friends for coffee. This tradition started at Mary’s Place, then moved to Stevi Cafe, and continues today at CJ’s. Peg spent much of her retirement tending to her landscaping and garden, traveling the country with Dean, and supporting her children and grandchildren in everything they did.
In March 1980, Ravalli Republic reporter Martha Burke featured Peg in a spotlight article titled “Peggy Whitesitt Lights Many Candles.” The piece highlighted her philanthropic and volunteer work, her life in the Bitterroot, and her role as a civic leader. Near the end of the article, Peg was quoted as saying, “My one ambition is that my husband and I may successfully raise our two children to be happy, useful members of society.” Without a doubt, she and Dean succeeded in this endeavor. The article began with the words, “This woman has made her corner of the world brighter by lighting not one, but many ‘little candles.’” Over the years, Peg brightened the lives of all she touched and will be deeply missed – not only by her family but by the entire community.
Peg is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Dean; her daughter Vicki (Jeff) Motley; her son Dan; her grandson Trevor (Heidi) Motley; and her granddaughter Abbie Motley. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Peggy (Bill) Haley, all of Stevensville; as well as her nephews, Jeff (Mary) Moore of El Cajon, CA, and Ryan Roycroft.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bud and Margaret Moore, her brother, Jim Moore, and sister-in-law June Moore.
Visitation will be held at Whitesitt Funeral Home on Thursday, February 6, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, February 7, at 2:00 p.m. at Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville, with Pastor John Capen officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, with a reception afterward at St. Mary’s Family Center. Services will be live streamed online at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
In lieu of flowers, Peg’s family requests that donations be made to Pantry Partners (PO Box 806, Stevensville, MT 59870) or the Stevensville FFA Alumni & Supporters (375 Spooner Creek Lane, Stevensville, MT 59870). Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.