Margaret Tarver Shaaber

Margaret (Peggy) Tarver Shaaber was born July 28, 1930 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. She died peacefully at home, according to her wishes, on May 2, 2025. She spent her childhood in New Smyrna Beach until she moved to Jacksonville, Florida.

Peggy had a lifetime passion for the ocean and swimming. She spent her summers lifeguarding for both the girls and boys at Camp Weed. After completing her high school education at Robert E. Lee High School, she attended Stephens College before completing her studies at Florida State University where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Social Work. She was on the synchronized swim team at both Stephens College and Florida State University. She was an active member of the sorority Alpha Delta Pi. Peggy held a gold membership at the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club where she spent many happy holidays with family and friends. She developed her love for arranging flowers when she became a member of the Riverside Garden Club. As a lifelong Episcopalian she served her church in numerous functions. As an active member of San Jose Episcopal Church, she commissioned a beautiful stained-glass window in memory of her husband of 64 years, Andreas (Andy) Shaaber.

Peggy was a generous supporter of the Salvation Army and the Jacksonville City Rescue Mission. She donated her artistic gift to the Riverside Garden Club by providing the sketch of the Epping Forest Tour program cover. She provided years of school supplies, books, holiday baskets, Christmas stockings, and costumes for holiday programs for special needs students. She was considered the honorary room mother for her daughter’s classroom over the course of twenty years.

She was preceded in death by her father, Edward Tarver Sr., her mother, Margie Tarver, brother, Edward Tarver, husband, Andreas R. Shaaber, and daughter, Allison Bryan. She is survived by her children, Steven Andrew Shaaber and his wife Jhan and their sons, Riley, Bryson, and Jenner Shaaber; daughter, Andrea Shaaber Lockard and her husband, Lee and their children, Hunter Tillman (Nicole), Madison Tillman, and Kendall Lockard; son, Glenn Preston Shaaber and his children, Lauren Shaaber (Jim), and Jonathan Shaaber; Allison’s husband, Thomas Randall Bryan and his children, Allison Jordan and Thomas Randall (T.R.) Bryan (Melissa), and their daughter, Brooklyn Bryan. Her lifelong and best friend of 94 years, Libby King.

Peggy will be remembered as a woman of great generosity, that gave up a career in social work to care for her husband and children. She gave of her time and talents to make others feel loved and supported. She was deeply loved by her family, and was in return a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.