• •HELEN “PEGGY” DOWNEY PILE
    •HELEN “PEGGY” DOWNEY PILE

    Helen “Peggy” Downey Pile, 80, of Saline, Michigan, formerly of Perrysburg, passed away on August 12, 2025, at her home in Saline. Her passing was unexpected.

    Peggy was born on August 8, 1945, to John and Verneda (Pyles) Downey in Fairmont, West Virginia. After she graduated from Charleston (WV) High School in 1963, she went on to obtain an education degree from Morris Harvey College in 1966.

    On June 25, 1966, she married Frank Pile in Charleston. Frank and Peggy went on to have two children, John Thomas and Susan Lynn. They relocated to Perrysburg, in 1976, where the family was raised.

    Peggy was the youth services coordinator at the Way Public Library in Perrysburg for 20 years. While at Way, she started the Children’s Literature Art Gallery, which continues to be on display in the Mercy Family Activity Room and features a collection of signed and numbered prints by wellknown children’s illustrators.

    She had a passion for gardening, working in the yard and finding new plants to enjoy. Later in life, spoiling her two grandchildren brought much joy. As a “Gammy” to Sophia and Joseph, she was very proud of their accomplishments and to see them become adults. She enjoyed family gatherings more than anything, including her recent 80th birthday celebration. She appreciated a good shopping trip to HomeGoods and Trader Joe’s and having brunch with friends.

    Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, Frank (2023); parents, John Downey (1993) and Verneda (1983), and grandmother, Verva Pyles (1990).

    She is survived by her son, John (Julia Schoenlein) of Florence, Kentucky; daughter, Susan of Saline, Michigan; granddaughter, Sophia Edith; grandson, Joseph Luke; in-laws, John (Barbara Herold) Pile and Tom Pile of West Virginia, as well as several nieces and nephews.

    A Celebration of Life open house for Frank and Peggy will be held on Saturday, September 6, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Way Library in Perrysburg.

    In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be given to the Way Public Library Foundation at founda tion.waylibrary.info/.