Peggy Buffington

Peggy Ann (Duncan) Starnes Buffington, 80, passed on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Peggy was born November 5, 1939, as the oldest of three children born to Delbert and Jessie Devine Duncan. She was born in Orange, California, and baptized at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. Peggy attended schools in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. She had a very happy childhood, even though her family moved quite often.  Every member of her family played at least one musical instrument and they competed in several amateur band contests and won quite a few. This gave her a lasting love for music of all kinds.  Their family always had neighbors over for dinner and cards.

The Duncan family moved to Conrad in 1955.  Peggy graduated from Conrad High School in 1957.

Peggy was married to Daniel Starnes in 1960 in Great Falls.   They had three children, Estelle, Joe and Roy.  Dan and Peggy were the best of friends and they spent their years together raising kids and training racehorses. The couple spent twenty years traveling the horse racing circuit and forged many deep and lasting friendships during those years.

Peggy worked at many jobs; her favorites included Conrad Floral, Conrad Veterinary Hospital and working for the State of Montana as a Horse Racing Steward. She loved animals and taught us to care for all of God’s creatures…and to love the little things in life.

Peggy married Donald Buffington in 1987 in Conrad. They resided at the farm east of Conrad, until they moved to town in 2000. They did some traveling, and her most favorite trip was to Kentucky where she got to meet Secretariat…and his owner, Penny.

Peggy became friends with all of Don’s adult children and grandchildren. She enjoyed being a part of their lives.

Peggy enjoyed life and had a very kind and generous soul.  She was inspirational in so many ways, to so many people. She had many hobbies, and countless pen pals of all ages and walks of life. Both brought her great joy, especially in her last homebound years.

Peggy was fiercely passionate about God, our country and family.  She loved writing stories, letters, and poetry.  She was an accomplished artist. She loved sports, especially horse racing and baseball. She loved being a Grandmother the most of all. She adored her four grandsons and was determined to show her love to them in every way possible. She was so happy to become a Great Grandmother.

Survivors include sister, Pat Backman of Bullhead City, Arizona; sister-in-law, Julietta Duncan of Bothell, Washington; daughter, Estelle Starnes Rauscher(Dale); son, Joe Starnes both of Conrad; son, Roy Starnes of Casper Wyoming; four grandsons, Shane Rauscher(Cynthia) and Justin Rauscher of Conrad, and Mason Starnes and Daniel Starnes of Casper, Wyoming; one great grandson, Braxton Rauscher; and several nieces and nephews.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, Delbert and Jessie; husbands, Daniel Starnes and Donald Buffington; brother, Steve Duncan of Bothell, Washington; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Celebration of Life is planned for a later date.