Peggy Ann Hobbs

On December 28, 1952, Peggy married the love of her life, Bob Hobbs. With Bob’s service in the Air Force, their early years together included travel—including to France—before they eventually settled in Fort Wayne for Bob’s work with Magnavox.

Peggy’s most enduring public legacy was her extraordinary involvement with the YWCA of Northeast Indiana. What began in 1967 as an art class at the former YWCA on Wayne Street became a lasting commitment to service. Her dedication grew into active volunteer leadership, including service on the Board of Directors beginning in 1971 and, later, as Board President in 1973.

During Peggy’s tenure as YWCA President, she helped the organization grow significantly and advocated for the creation of Indiana’s first women’s domestic violence shelter—an effort that remains, according to the YWCA, one of the oldest and most successful domestic violence services program today. In 1977, the Peggy Hobbs Service Award was established in honor of her years of dedication and meaningful contributions. Presented annually, the award recognizes a woman who reflects Peggy’s own standard of “outstanding personal development, achievement, and dedication as a volunteer.”

Above all these meaningful accolades, Peggy was a loving and devoted homemaker, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and, most recently, she had the privilege of becoming a great-great-grandmother. Her life stands as a testament to brave conviction and an inspiring willingness to serve—values that will continue to echo through the lives she touched and the community she helped strengthen.

Peggy is survived by her son-in-law, Mark Melchi; her grandchildren, Nolan, Annie, Ashlyn, Jannaka, and Kris, Amber, and Terrell; several great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and her sister, Katie Glisson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Hobbs; her children, Deborah Melchi, Stephen Hobbs, and Nathan Hobbs; her parents; and her siblings, Terrell Apperson, William Apperson, Marilyn Jackson, and Ginger Calabrese.

Funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Pine Valley, 1320 East Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825, with visitation beginning two hours prior.

Memorial contributions in Peggy's memory may be directed towards Shriners Hospitals for Children.