from her home in Atascadero, California after a two year battle with cancer. Her final years were
devoted to what she cherished most: enjoying family gatherings, building memories
with her 8 grandchildren, and planning events at her home.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Marjorie and Glen Layton; her brother Glen
Leslie Layton; and granddaughter Evie.
Peggy is survived by her husband of 48 years Tom O’Malley; her children Maggie
O’Malley Cox of Atascadero, Merry O’Malley Reynolds and her husband Michael
of Atascadero, and Trevor O’Malley and his wife Tina of Lacey, Washington; and
sister’s Marjanne Claassen of Colorado and Wendy Whaley of Nevada.
She delighted in her grandchildren Ezra, Joy, Hunter, Ivan, Keenan, Danika, Hope,
and Aria.
Peggy was born at Atascadero Hospital and graduated from Atascadero High
School. She participated in Pioneer Girls at Atascadero Gospel Chapel, band, flag
team, and enjoyed making homecoming floats. She graduated from Cuesta College
and Cal Poly and attended several local Atascadero Churches over the years.
Peggy O’Malley was a Beloved Wife, loyal friend, compassionate mentor, and
always modeled a willingness to grow and change in her life. She had a lasting
impact on the community of Atascadero through her 25 years as a teacher with
Atascadero Unified School District including the school sites of Carrisa Plains,
Creston Elementary School, Santa Rosa Elementary School, and finally Atascadero
Middle School. She was known for her passion of literature and helping students
find their true gifts.
Peggy partnered with Tom in creating the Portola Inn. Together they enjoyed
cultivating a beautiful property used for weddings and celebrations; a vision they
collectively shared.
Her children loved that she was the master of tradition and making a celebration out
of anything. She was a “Pinterest Mom” before Pinterest was a thing. Some of their
fond memories include the way Mom led Good News club from their home,
celebrating Christmas each year with matching pajamas, thoughtfulness when
arranging birthday parties, and cooking with apricots from Portola Inn’s 100 year
old orchard.
There are not enough words to sum up the life that she lived or what she gave to
those around her. Please join us in a public Celebration of Life on Saturday, May
25th at 2:00 PM at Atascadero Gospel Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family
requests a monetary donation to help support the Battle of the Books with AUSD or
a donation of a children's book. Please bring your book to the celebration.
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures
forever.
Donation checks should be made out to Atascadero Kiwanis Foundation with the note for
“Peggy’s Books” and mailed to Tom O’Malley, P.O. Box 808 Atascadero, Ca 93423 or brought
to the Celebration of Life on May 25th.
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