Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Margaret “Peggy’’ Sato passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 29, 2025, and will be greatly missed. Peggy had intrepid sense of verve and joie de vivre. She loved people and found the best qualities in everyone.
She was born to Ray and Dorothy Sato on Feb. 14, 1953, in Hood River, Oregon. As her family had a pear orchard, she worked during the summers thinning Bartlett pears. Her father, Ray, loved the outdoors, and took the family fishing, boating and even skiing. Her mother, Dorothy, gave her piano lessons, dance classes and ballet classes and her incredible sense of style and fashion. She was a total shoe fashionista.
Attending Hood River Valley High School, she first exhibited an interest in student government by running for student body vice president as a sophomore, and won. Thus begins her political endeavors. At Oregon State University, she continued her leadership passion, by serving as student body secretary, and graduated with a degree in sociology. Her entire professional career of 38 years has been with Georgia Pacific, working her way up to regional governmental affairs manager for the Western United States. It was there that she worked her magic, in moving forward in her job, and becoming connected to the political arena in the State of Oregon. She was able to combine her love for gourmet cooking and good wine, by hosting big dinner parties at her home, where she had the ability to remain neutral, politically. She could make you feel like a MILLION BUCKS! Her generous nature enabled her to give her time to many organizations, such as the Oregon State Alumni Association and the Oregon Historical Society.
In her spare time, she enjoyed traveling to warm weather spots, her favorites being Mexico, Hawaii, and Turks and Caicos Islands. She also traveled to many European countries, as well as to Japan, Thailand and New Zealand. Her love for food was foremost when she traveled. Experiencing the local cuisine was her specialty and always brought back whatever the country was known for food-wise. She loved gardening as well and had a huge variety of flowering plants which she generously would make into bouquets and give away. Her LOVE for her cats was second to none! They were her kids, and she treated them with over-the-top care!
She is survived by her 102-year-old mother, Dorothy; her brother Gordy; her sister Sally Parker (Joe); niece Madeline (Olivier) and grandnephew Leo; niece Julianne; nephew Zach Parker; and beloved cats Babe and Little Man Tate.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Nov. 16 at Willamette Valley Vineyards, 8800 Enchanted Way SE, Turner, Oregon, from 1-4 p.m. Donations may be made in Peggy’s name to the Oregon State Capitol Foundation or Ikoi no kai (Japanese senior meal program) to the Japanese Ancestral Society of Portland, c/o Andersons Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031.
To plant a tree in memory of Peggy Sato as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.
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