11/19/2024
The family of Margaret R. Arbuckle, age 80, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, formally of Lancaster County, Ephrata, PA, announces her transition to her Heavenly home on 11/19/2024. Margaret was known as Peggy Ann or Peg but to us, Margaret was known as Mom, Mom-Mom, and Mom-Mom Medicine.
She is survived by: children, Ann E. Arbuckle, Marietta, PA., Kelly S. Hawthorne companion of David Lynch, New Holland, PA., Samuel L. Arbuckle, III, Ephrata, PA., and John D. Arbuckle of Narvon, PA.
Grandchildren: D. Matthew Blackburn, II (Clarissa) Oahu, HI, Christine E. Blackburn, Danville, PA, Olivia Blackburn Grasso (Chris), Lyndhurst, OH, Marissa L. Gable (Mark) Ephrata, PA., and Michael J. Hawthorne (Molly) of Mountville, PA.
Great-grandchildren: Noah M. and Kamiyah Blackburn, Jameson L. and Kinsley E. Grasso, Liam H. Marro, Connor A., Easton M., Grayson M., and Beckett Gable, Navy J. and Eloise Q. Hawthorne.
Also surviving are two sisters: P. Gail Murphy (Lloyd) and Janet R. Myer (Doug) both of Strasburg, PA.
Peggy Ann was born in Chester County, Coatesville, PA to the late Arthur W. Renz and Margaret E. (Donohue) Renz. Our mom shared her birthday with her beloved Uncle Jack and was “his gift that year…no other presents, and Uncle Jack did not mind a bit!”
Mom’s favorite pastimes as a child included playing baseball, roller, and ice skating, sewing, and visiting her grandparents (Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop Donohue). As a middle/high school student, Mom enjoyed singing and performed in the Meistersingers, an elite choice. Mom worked at the movie theaters to pay for her voice lessons. The Meistersingers performed throughout Chester County and even made a record. Mom was selected for County and Regional Chorus because of her talented Mezzo-soprano voice.
After graduating from Scott Senior High School, Mom obtained a position at the local bank as a secretary in the Trust Department. Her job provided her with trips to the beach and mountains where she could swim, ice skate, make ceramics, and continue to buy material for sewing clothes.
Our mom met our dad, Sam, and they raised a family living in Chester County, Coatesville, PA followed by Lancaster County, White Horse, and Gap, PA. While raising her children, Mom worked a part-time job at White Chimneys in Gap, PA as a secretary to S. R. Slaymaker of Slaymaker Locks. Our mom enjoyed singing in the church choir, Bible studies, bowling, swimming at Nickel Mines, gardening, cooking, canning, and being with her family. Mom decided to go back to school to become a Real Estate Agent and enjoyed taking creative writing courses at F&M College. Mom worked at Country Gardens/Chelsea Village in Leola, PA and then for American Heritage Property. Mom then purchased Clover Property Management Company, family-owned and operated, where she retired. Mom kept the business small because she enjoyed getting to know her tenants and owners. The children and grandchildren enjoyed working with their mom and grandmother.
Her favorite place to be, in addition to her family, was the beach. Mom loved the beach and had purchased a trailer in Lewes, DE. The beach is where our mom planned to retire, but her physical struggles with I.B.M. would not allow her to be so far away from her children.
Our mom’s great love in life was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. (Our family had Fifth Generations TWICE for over 30 years). The most wonderful part of our mom was her smile and laughter where a giggling session would end up with needing a new attire.
Throughout the past years (2016-2024), we witnessed our mother’s health struggles which claimed her ability to walk and fine motor skills, but her mind was sharp, and mom knew what she wanted to do and was a good advocate for herself. Though we are all mourning the loss of our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she was also a counselor and friend to us. We celebrate her victory in finishing her race well!
In the book of Hebrews, a metaphor of running, urging believers to persevere in their faith with endurance, which is exactly what our mom did, and she did it well! Hebrews 12:1-2 (New International Version) states, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
The family would like to express our thanks to Spang Crest, and Wellspan Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon, where our mom received fast and accurate quality care and compassion from the Emergency Room Department, Cardiology Department, and Intensive Care Unit (these staff members went the extra mile for us) and finally 3 South.
Our mom has been set free and that is worth celebrating!
Please join us at the Furman Home for Funerals, 59 W. Main St., Leola on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 3 PM for the memorial service. The family will greet friends from 2 to 3 PM.