Obituary of Peggy Jane (O'Neill) Hilimire

Peggy Jane O’Neill Hilimire, age 28, died on Tuesday, March 31 at Strong Memorial Hospital, surrounded by many loving family members and friends. Peggy was born December 13, 1986, the daughter of John P. O’Neill and Elizabeth Phillips. Peggy attended Livonia High School and lived in Livonia for most of her life. She received an Associate’s Degree from Monroe Community College and also studied business and nutrition at R.I.T. and Buffalo State. Peggy loved all animals, especially her dog Odin, butterflies in every form, and her three cats, Lily, Mia, and Dexter. A lifelong vegetarian, she brought her passion for nutrition and healthful food sources to her role as a founder and co-owner of the Cornerstone Market, a specialty foods store in Honeoye. Peggy was proud of the work she did to bring her community a range of local products including gluten-free and vegan options, organic produce, fresh baked pastries, and craft beer. Serving her neighbors healthful and beautiful foods filled Peggy with joy and she loved every aspect of the market, from stocking groceries to choosing paint to waiting on customers. Peggy was compassionate, independent, and idiosyncratic. Her dry and quirky sense of humor, as well as her prank calls and witty text messages, kept her friends and family on their toes and offered a view of the world unlike any other. She loved hot sauce, tabloids, and long walks with her dog and friends. Peggy was also devoted to her family and loved summer holidays on Conesus Lake with her cousins, aunts, and uncles. Peggy was pre-deceased by her father, John P. O’Neill. She is survived by her mother Elizabeth Phillips and stepfather David Pankow; her sisters Lucy O’Neill (Brandon Carpenter) and Sophia Starmack; her grandmother Dorothy Phillips; many aunts and uncles including Michael and Sandy O’Neill, Mary Jane O’Neill, Katherine and Don Cook, Stormy Leibenguth Bailey, and Rick and Kathleen Leibenguth; her business partner Alysha Baier; her “co-mother” Katy Smith Hibbs; her husband Michael Hilimire, and an extended network of close cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations in Peggy’s memory may be made to: Lollypop Farm, 790 Jefferson Road, Rochester, NY 14623; or Friends of Strong Memorial Hospital, 300 East River Road, P.O. Box 270032, Rochester, NY 14627. Peggy’s family and friends may call from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 6 at the ST. GEORGE-STANTON FUNERAL HOME, 109 West Naples Street, Wayland, NY. Peggy’s memorial service will be Tuesday, April 7 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Pius Church, 35 Maple Avenue, Cohocton. Internment of ashes and a brief blessing will follow immediately at St. Pius Cemetery.