Peggy Ann Brink-Wetsch, 71 of Jonesboro, formerly of Placentia, California, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, June 14, 2022.

Born July 3, 1950, to Harvey and Helen Thorp-Brink in San Diego, California. Peggy graduated from Fontana High School in 1968. In 1968 Peggy met the love of her life, Gearald Wetsch. Their love story began as a chance meeting on a spur of the moment blind date to Mount Baldy—the two married on June 26, 1971 in St. Joseph's Cathedral in Los Angeles, California. For nearly 51 years, Peggy and Gearald built a life of love, happiness and family. Of this union were born two beloved children, Brian and Lynette.

She had a vast & distinguished career in nursing. She graduated from the California Hospital School of Nursing in 1971 when she became a registered nurse. She later graduated Cum Laude from Pepperdine University in 1980 with a Master's of Science in Nursing. Over the span of her career, Peggy was honored to be published in a number of medical journals. She was also named in the 1984, 1986-1987, 1990-1991, and 1993-1994 additions of "Who's Who in American Nursing"; "Two Thousand Notable American Women"; and the 1992-1993 addition of "Who's Who among Human Services Professionals". Peggy's nursing career spanned four decades, starting at Orange County Hospital before UC Irvine Medical Center purchased the hospital allowing her to work with Gearald at the same hospital for several years. Specializing in pediatrics and infectious diseases, she served her peers as an educator, a care-giver, a nurse, an esteemed colleague, and beloved friend. She retired from Kaiser Permanente in May of 2016. She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Iota Chapter, and Phi Kappa Phi; Southern California Nursing Diagnosis Association; and the Spina Bifida Association of America. Peggy was an honored recipient of the Lutheran Hospital Society Award for Outstanding Academic and Spiritual Development; and the C.H.S.N. Psychiatric Nursing Award.

Peggy never hesitated to lend her support to others. She freely shared her vast medical knowledge, and vast capacity for empathy to help people become better advocates for themselves. She was a fierce advocate for what she felt was fair, just, and true.

Peggy had a love & joy for animals. She always had a pair of cats and had many pets including dogs throughout her life. She enjoyed collecting unicorns, tracing her families genealogy, reading Stephen King and Agatha Christie novels, and listening to music, especially Kenny Rogers, and watching good murder mysteries and sci-fi shows, including X-Files and Twilight Zone. She also never missed watching an Indy 500. Most importantly she loved her three grandchildren; Tyler, Dessie and Emily. Watching them learn and grow into outstanding young men and women brought her the greatest happiness.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents and half-siblings.

Left behind to carry on her legacy is her beloved husband, Gearald Wetsch, of Jonesboro; son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Carrie Wetsch of Manhattan Beach, California; daughter and son-in-law, Lynette and Cory Starr of Reyno; three grandchildren, Tyler, Dessie and Emily; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Darlene and Harold Brenden of Salem, Oregon; nieces, Kimberly (Colin) Crawford of Rancho Murrieta, California & Kristina Markel of Portland, Oregon along with many many friends.

A celebration of her life will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 20, 2022 at Gregg- Langford Bookout Funeral Home.