Margaret C. Arnold

Peggy was born in Baltimore, MD on October 12, 1931, to the late Howard E. Crook, Jr. and Katharine Coblentz Crook, and grew up in Catonsville, MD. She graduated from Catonsville High School in 1948 and from Hood College in Frederick, MD in 1952. While working at Seagram’s in Relay, MD, she met her future husband Gorton and they were married in 1956. When Gorton’s job at Seagram’s took him to New York City in the early 1960’s, Peggy and Gorton moved to Westchester County, NY. Peggy worked at General Foods in White Plains and later in Manhattan for Dobbs/Lifesaver, Inc. After Gorton’s retirement in 1980, Peggy and Gorton moved to Whispering Pines, NC, where they resided for the remainder of their lives.

Throughout their marriage, Peggy and Gorton enjoyed an active social life that included golf and bridge. They also enjoyed the winter months at their condominium in Bonita Springs, FL. Both Peggy and Gorton were avid sports fans, especially cheering for the UNC football and basketball teams. The happy couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2006. After Gorton passed away in 2011 at the age of 96, Peggy continued to reside in their home in Whispering Pines. She remained socially active until shortly before her death, when health issues increasingly restricted her mobility. She especially enjoyed meals at the Pinehurst County Club with family and friends. Peggy was an enthusiastic reader of both novels and newspapers. She especially enjoyed perusing the Wall Street Journal each day, keenly following developments in the financial markets and self-managing her investments. In later years, she liked to watch sporting events and old western movies on TV.

Peggy is survived by her sister, Katharine C. Heidelbach, of Sykesville, MD, her niece Deborah H. Wagstaff (Charles) of Red Oak, VA, and their two daughters Amanda W. Ratchen (Nathan) of Charlottesville, VA and Sarah Wagstaff of Ellicott City, MD, and her nephew James T. Heidelbach (Karen) of Monkton, MD, and their two daughters, Lindsay H. Chase (Ben) of Alexandria, VA and Bailey Heidelbach of San Diego, CA.

Peggy is also survived by her husband’s son, Richard S. Arnold, son-in-law William Sullivan, and their extended families. She was preceded in death by Gorton’s daughter, Sally Jean Arnold Sullivan.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Hood College, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD 21701, FirstHealth Hospice House, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374 251, or the charity of your choice.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines, NC & Sterling-Ashton-Schwab-Witzke Funeral Home of Catonsville, Inc.