Margaret Mary (Peggy) Barnish, age 86, of Stratford, passed away peacefully in the presence of loved ones Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Lord Chamberlain Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Daughter of loving parents Paul Barnish and Helen Klevecz Barnish, she is survived by her devoted son, Frank Militello, whom she reunited with ten years ago, bringing them both much joy.

Peggy was raised in Stratford and graduated Stratford High School in 1956. She studied acting and dance and earned her bachelor's degree from Boston University. After college she moved to San Francisco with a childhood friend, Joan Thompson Leonard. She had many careers, starting with marketing In the retail industry. She then moved on to the insurance field, helping injured people with their Workman's Compensation claims. Peggy was always helping to improve people's lives.

In the 1960's she traveled the world with Seaboard Airlines as a flight attendant, and could regale you with stories of her many exciting adventures. She also flew with the Flying Tigers, transporting armed forces members home from Asia. At that time she was involved with the Flight Attendants Union trying to improve working conditions.

In 1990 she founded Hooterville Pet Safehaus, the first no-kill animal shelter in Washington State, which operates to this day under its new name Homeward Pet Adoption Center. She pioneered the now common practice of catch/spay-neuter/release to humanely manage feral cat populations.

About twenty-five years ago she moved back to Stratford to care for her aging parents. There she became the president of the Cat Coalition and personally sheltered, cared for, and found homes for many thousands of cats over the years. She also cared for feral cat populations, driving to Lordship daily to feed them. Peggy's whole life was devoted to helping people and animals.

She was a devout Catholic and took seriously Christ's admonition to care for her neighbors. She was always there for those in need and worked tirelessly in her later years as a senior home helper, where she frequently made lifelong friends of family members. She lived and loved life to the fullest and is beloved by her many friends and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 8th at 9:30 AM meeting directly at St James Church 2070 Main Street Stratford. Interment following at St. John's Cemetery, Stratford. Those desiring, may make donations at the Stratford Cat Coalition Facebook page. Donations can also be sent to P.O. Box 1374 Stratford CT 06615.

The Adzima Funeral Home has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.