Margaret "Peggy" Ann Simcox

Margaret “Peggy” Ann Simcox, age 70, died while sleeping at home in Columbus on Sunday, June 12, 2011 from Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Born Margaret Ann Kovaleski on Valentine’s Day, 1941 to Charlie and Margaret Kovaleski in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. One of five children, Peggy was raised in small towns around Ohio, moving from time to time as her father’s railroad job dictated. By Peggy Ann’s teenage years, her family made a home on the south Side of Columbus; Peggy Ann was a South High Bulldog, graduated as Valedictorian in the January Class of 1959. Peggy Ann cherished her time at South, and felt fortunate to stay close with several alumni throughout her entire life. Peggy Ann earned a full scholarship to Ohio State University to become a teacher, but chose to tend to her ailing mother and to work full time instead. Peggy worked for American Standard, where she met Boyer. After a whirlwind courtship, Peg and Boyer eloped to Virginia on March 19, 1965. Peg and Boyer had their first child, Margaret Michelle “Shelly” in 1966, while living in Upper Arlington. The Simcoxes moved to Pittsburgh just long enough for their second child, Mary Heather, to be born in 1969. Three months later, they moved back to Upper Arlington to live in the house they called home for over 30 years. Peg was a fantastic baker, a good humored bowler, loyal friend, and dear Sunday school teacher. Among her many honors, Peg was “Best Preserved” at the South High 25th class reunion, and given the honorary “Aunt Peg” title by many, many adult children who couldn’t help but feel special when near her. Peg took several memorable vacation with friends and family, and loved seeing Europe and the Holy Land. She is survived by her husband, Boyer; her daughters, Shelly Simcox-Lester and Mary Heather (Oliver) Decker; grandchildren, Margaret “Grace” and Jonathan Lester and Jasper and Leo Decker; sister, Helen Siddle and brother, Ronald Kovaleski; sisters-in-law, Irene Simcox, Nellie Kovaleski and Susie (Spencer) Smith; nieces and nephews, Kurt Kovaleski, Karen Kovaleski, Kristy Kovaleski, George (LuAnn) Simcox, Bob (Cindy) Simcox, Tim (Eiden Herring) Simcox, Clark (Rose) Siddle and Tom (Candy) Siddle; friends and neighbors, Sherry (Tom) Yost and Owen and Olive Stotts. She is preceded in death by parents; her brothers, Charles and Stephen Kovaleski; and her nephew, Kyle Kovaleski. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 from 5-8pm at Schoedinger Northwest Chapel, 1740 Zollinger Road, Columbus. Ohio 43221. Memorial service will be Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 1pm at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, 2300 Lytham Road, Columbus, Ohio 43221. Pastor Buff Delcamp and Pastor Owen Stotts co-officiating. Flowers are welcome, as are donations to honor the people and organizations that helped Peg in these past 2 years. The Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072 Pittsfield, MA 01202. The OSU Center for Integrative Medicine Endowment Fund (#660100-Aukerman) 2000 Kenny Road, Columbus, Ohio 43221. HomeReach Hospice c/o Ohio Health, 180 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Scott Blair, Dr. Glen Auckerman and the nurses at Riverside and HomeReach Hospice for doing their best to keep Peggy happily on Earth as long as possible. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to send condolences and share memories.