Margaret Mary Smith

Margaret Mary Smith, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother, passed peacefully on April 9, 2025, in Gaithersburg, MD. Peggy, to those who knew her, was born in November 1923 in Aliquippa, PA. She was the oldest of four children born to Edward and Margaret LeViseur.

Peggy graduated from Aliquippa High School and attended Indiana State Teachers College in Indiana, PA. There she met the love of her life, Don Smith. After a year of college together, Don enlisted in the army, and Peggy finished school with a teaching degree in 1944. She began her teaching career in Pittsburgh, PA. When Don returned from serving overseas, they were married in October 1946, in Pittsburgh. They moved back to Indiana, PA, where Don completed his degree and Peggy taught elementary school.

Peggy and Don raised eight children. A wide variety of career opportunities for Don had the family living in various locations over many years. They resided in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Minnesota and finally settled in Gaithersburg, MD in January of 1971.

In most of the places they lived, Peggy was often a substitute teacher at one of the local schools where her children were enrolled. Frequently the classes she had assigned to her had some of her own children in attendance. When this happened, she insisted they called her Mrs. Smith so there would not be any hint of favoritism. And of course, homework was still assigned and expected to be completed before dinner that night. In their first few years in Gaithersburg, Peggy did substitute teaching at the elementary schools and then was full time at the Town and Country Day School from 1975, until she finally retired in 1993.

Peggy and Don were one of the founding members of St. Francis of Assisi church, which began in 1972 in Derwood, MD. They were very involved in the church and served in several different capacities over the years. Both served with the Altar Guild, and Peggy was also the first female Eucharistic Minister. They taught Marriage Preparation class, worked Bingo nights, and volunteered for various other duties as needed over the years. Peggy and Don were also instrumental in designing, funding, and constructing the Stations of the Cross grotto at St. Francis.

They both participated in many community service areas. They gave talks about World War II to high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools. Peggy also served with a group that would teach reading classes at the local jails. Peggy and Don enjoyed playing golf with friends, and Peggy played until her late 80's. She also had her ladies bridge group and was a proud member of the “Bethayres Babes,” who met often at local restaurants including the “Out of The Way Cafe” to discuss any number of topics about the neighborhood, what needed to be done, and how they could help.

Peggy was known for her stories, compassion, and acceptance of everyone. She also had a love for cooking, often inviting people to share a meal and made to feel like part of the family. She loved nothing more than having a houseful of people for a holiday, or just a daily dinner. The more the merrier was what she believed. Peggy passed along her passion for cooking to each of her children. By giving different duties to help with the food preparation for family meals, she made sure that each understood the value of their participation in the family functions but also was able to make each child felt uniquely special in their own way. Peggy never forgot a birthday or anniversary in spite of the size of her immediate family. A card in the mail, and a phone call on the special day, was something she always remembered for everyone.

The past few years, Peggy treasured her independence, living in her apartment at Asbury Senior Community Center. In spite of the smaller space in this kitchen, she still would invite many friends and family over for a home cooked meal and conversation. Peggy also loved that she was able to continue driving well past the time when most people would have turned in their keys. On her 99th birthday she went to the DMV and managed to get her license renewed for eight more years. However, a reliable source explained that she might have cheated just slightly by memorizing the eye chart when the DMV person stepped away from her desk for a brief time. Peggy also took much delight in telling people how she drove herself and some friends to church on her 101st birthday. All of her children heard that story repeated numerous times over the past several months.

Peggy led a very full, complete life filled with love, service, and joy. She will be missed by her many friends and especially her family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband Donald R. Smith, and daughter Peggy Smith. She is survived by her children: Don Smith (Linda), Jack Smith (Linda), Bill Smith (Diane), Betsy Rogers, Michele Farlow (Rick-d), Theresa Nelson and Matt Smith (Laura). She is also survived by her 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

A memorial Mass will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 6701 Muncaster Mill Rd., Derwood, MD. 20855. A lunch reception will immediately follow the service at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 17001Overhill Rd, Derwood, MD. 20855

In lieu of flowers, please make donations online at Faith Direct to the St. Francis of Assisi Church ministries for either the Stations of the Cross Fund, or the Haiti Mission.