Marksena Peay

Marksena Holton was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 15, 1924, the only child of Mark Holton and Anna Mae Harper Holton. After the untimely death of Mark Holton two months before his daughter's birth, it was decided that his sister, Etta Holton Welsch, would raise Marksena, along with two of her cousins. The three girls were raised as sisters.

Marksena was a strong willed, precocious child. As she grew older, her droll wit and feisty spirit made her a natural leader. Her fun loving personality was infectious, and she had broad appeal, to young and old alike. A master story teller, Marksena also had a photographic memory, with near perfect recall, making her a reliable source of information for extended family members. She received her formal education in the Milwaukee Public School System.

On March 7, 1945, Marksena was united in marriage to Robert Douglas Peay. They repeated their vows at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in 1987. For 20 years the Peays owned and operated Bob's Birdcage, a popular tavern on 3rd & Locust Streets. Marksena was employed by Milwaukee County Public Schools. She worked at North Division High School for 23 years. Bob and Marksena celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary at a gala affair on March 7, 1995. She indulged her passion for cooking and entertaining with great dinner parties.

In 1966, Marksena experienced the loss of two loved ones, her husband Robert, and her mom Etta Welsch. Her birth mother, Anna Mae, passed away in 1998. A practicing Catholic all of her life, Marksena was loyal to her faith, her family and her friends. After a lengthy illness, she went to her heavenly Father on September 3, 2014, secure in the knowledge that God doesn't promise us a smooth journey, just a safe landing. Though Marksena will be sorely missed, it is comforting to know that she is now reunited with her beloved Robert. As the matriarch of the Holton family, she leaves to honor her memory: sisters, Shirley Ann Teat and Kathy Rodgers; 5 nieces, 5 nephews, many loving cousins and dear friends.

Visitation will be Sunday, September 7, 2014 at the church, ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1927 North 4th Street, Milwaukee, WI, from 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM. Funeral mass to begin at 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to a charity of one's choice.