Margaret Anne Emmett

Margaret (Peggy) Anne Burke Emmett, 84, of Oak Ridge, TN passed away in her sleep early July 2, 2024, at Sacred Ground Hospice. She was born on July 13, 1939, as the first child of the late Rachel Louise Keathley Burke and late Walter Edgar Burke in Warrenton, VA. She is survived by her husband, Raymond L. McDonough, Sr., her sons Brian K. Emmett (wife Sarah U. Emmett) of Raleigh, NC, and Gregory A. Emmett of Knoxville. She has two grandchildren - Molly Emmett Kovacs (husband Trevor) of Raleigh, NC and grandson Robert K. Emmett (wife Lauren Moncrief) of Perry Hall, MD. She has three great grandchildren Emma and Orion Kovacs and Kathryn Emmett. She is also survived by brother Dickie Burke of Virginia Beach, VA. She is preceded in death by first husband (John M. Emmett), her second husband (John W. Wachter), and her sister (Patricia Burke Quimby). Peggy graduated from Tennessee Tech University in 1960 and went to work for Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) from which she retired in 2006 after 46 years. She retired as group leader of the Nuclear Code Development Group in the Computational Physics and Engineering Division of ORNL. She was an active participant in the American Nuclear Society (ANS) becoming a fellow in 2001; she served on numerous ANS committees. In addition, Peggy was an active member of the American Association of University Women having served in many of its leadership positions. She was also a longtime member of the Association of Women in Science, Phi Kappa Phi, and Kappa Mu Epsilon. An avid Lady Vols Basketball fan, she supported a scholarship for women athletes pursuing a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree at the University of Tennessee. In addition, Peggy endowed an educational grant for sixth and seventh grade girls SHaring ADventures in Engineering and Science (SHADES) program in Oak Ridge. (This grant has transitioned to a scholarship to Pellissippi State Community College for women in STEM majors.) Peggy was a member of Northside Christian Church serving in leadership positions at the church. She was also an active member in the community serving on the Board of Directors for the Knoxville YWCA and on the board of the Alliance of Women Philanthropists at the University of Tennessee. The family will receive friends on Saturday July 6 from 1-3 at Northside Christian Church located at 4008 Tazewell Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918 which will be followed by a memorial service at the church. Online Condolences may be extended at www.rosefuneraltn.com

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Margaret Anne Emmett

July 13, 1939 - July 2, 2024