Obituary
Peggie Osborn Lopez passed away September 16, 2026 at her home in Scotts Valley. After multiple illnesses and hospitalizations, she chose to spend her final months surrounded by family in the comfort of her own home.
Peggie grew up in Anaheim and earned an AA in Nursing from Fullerton Junior College. She then moved to San Diego, where she met and married Ed Lopez. The couple settled in San Jose in 1965, where Ed began his career as a police officer and Peggie worked as a pediatrics nurse. In 1972, after their two children were born, they moved to Scotts Valley, drawn by the quiet, small-town feel of what was then “the country.”
In a surprising career turn, Peggie became a polygraph examiner in 1976 and worked for Central Coast Polygraph, the company she and Ed owned and operated for over 25 years. She drew on her experience in both nursing and polygraph when serving as the coordinator of the Santa Cruz County Sexual Assault Response Team, which she led for several years.
Peggie’s lifelong pattern of community service began in high school, and once she settled in Scotts Valley, she gave generously to the town she called home. She was a member of the Kiwanis Club for more than 30 years, supporting its work to better the community and improve the lives of local youth. She also served ten years on the School Board and six on the City Council, including one as Mayor, and in 1993 was named Scotts Valley Woman of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. Among her proudest accomplishments was serving on the Citizens for a High School in Scotts Valley Committee, which helped unify the school district and made it possible to build Scotts Valley High School, from which all four of her grandchildren graduated.
Alongside her family, Peggie treasured her church family at Felton Presbyterian/Valley Grace Church, where she was a member from the time she moved to Scotts Valley. She served as an elder and stated clerk, enjoyed Bible study with fellow members, and for several years led a Bible study at a nearby convalescent home.
Those who knew Peggie know how deeply she poured her heart into everything she did. She had a gift for creating beauty through crocheting and was always looking for ways to give back. Her family is grateful for every memory, lesson, and laugh, and for all the love she gave them. Her legacy of kindness, faith, generosity, and love will live on in all of them.
Peggie was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 50 years, Ed Lopez. She is survived by her children, Sheri (Andy) Thomas and Mark and Melanie Lopez; four grandchildren; three bonus grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three siblings; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service will be held Saturday, October 24, at 11am at Valley Grace Church, 6090 Highway 9, Felton, CA 95018.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Scotts Valley Kiwanis Foundation, PO Box 66257, Scotts Valley, CA 95076.