Margaret Mary “Peg” Baumgardner, (née Kelly) age 95, of Ocean City, NJ and formerly of Philadelphia and Drexel Hill, PA, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, friends, and caregivers, on May 14th.
Peg was pre-deceased by her beloved and loving husband George who passed away in 1999, and two of her ten children: Susan Giedgowd and Thomas Baumgardner. She is survived by eight children: Nancy Baumgardner, Mimi Box (Bob), George Baumgardner (Lynn), Sally Schukraft (Steve), Gracie McNichol (Frank), John Baumgardner (Bernadette), Julie Baumgardner, and Joe Baumgardner, as well as son-in-law Tom Giedgowd (Katie).
“Oma” is also survived by 17 adoring grandchildren: Lauren Hegarty (Pat) and Dan Box; Ted, Andrew, James, Christian, and Susie Baumgardner; Tom (Lauren), Michael and Sara Giedgowd, Marie O’Grady; Justin and Stephen (Kim) Schukraft; Sean (Lauren), Matthew and Hillary McNichol; and Brendan Baumgardner. Oma was just beginning to enjoy sharing in the lives of her six great-grandchildren: Tom, Everett and Lila Giedgowd; Abigail Schukraft; and Ryann and Quinn Hegarty. She will also be missed by the many additional members of her extended family, her friends, and her neighbors, many of whom knew her, as her family did, simply as “Oma.”
Peg was born in Philadelphia and was the only child of Irish immigrant parents, John J. and Mary (Flaherty) Kelly. At the time of her death, Peg was one of the oldest living alumnae of Mount St. Joseph Academy (Class of 1936). She attended Chestnut Hill College, graduating in 1940 with a degree in Home Economics.
Upon graduating, Peg went to work as a nutritionist for the Heinz Company on Heinz Pier in Atlantic City. She met her husband, George, while working at Heinz. They married in 1948 and shared 52 years of marriage. Together, they enjoyed raising their ten children, world travel with friends, and spending every summer in Ocean City, NJ before making that their permanent home.
Peg was recognized as a leader in Ocean City’s Our Lady of Good Counsel church community where she served for many years as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector, Altar and Rosary Society member and President as well as a Church Trustee. She also represented OLGC on the Ocean City Ecumenical Council. Her church friends supported and visited her in her later years and for this her family is truly grateful.
The caregiver support team of Holy Redeemer Hospice Care as well as the special care and bonds of friendship provided by Nancy Wray, Charlene McKeen and Lois Poletis are appreciated by Peg’s family and especially her daughter Julie, who along with this support network dedicated the past ten years to Peg’s care.
Visitation 6:30 to 8:30 PM on Monday, May 19th and 9-10:30 AM followed by an 11AM Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, May 20th at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 40th Street and Asbury Avenue Ocean City, NJ 08226.
Interment will be at Cape May Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Cape May Court House.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to either Holy Redeemer Hospice (1801 Route #9N Swainton, NJ 08210) – or – Ocean City Ecumenical Council’s Community Food Cupboard and Clothes Closet (PO Box 1001 Ocean City, NJ 08226) where Oma was an officer and where she volunteered.
For condolences and information, visit www.godfreyfuneralhome.com.
