Margaret Louise “Peggy” (nee Oberholtzer) Ackley, died peacefully in her sleep after a five year struggle on Tuesday, March 16, 2021.
She was born August 1, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is predeceased by her parents Mary Louise (nee McKee) Oberholtzer and Joseph W. Oberholtzer. She was a resident of Philadelphia her entire life, most of it spent in the Fishtown neighborhood.
At the age of 30, she lost her true love and husband, George W. Ackley, leaving her to make a life for herself and her beloved children. She worked very hard to give her children the best life.
She spent her last few years under the trusting care of her loving and selfless daughter, Peggy Boo and her loving and strong grandsons, Andrew and Gage. They dedicated themselves to making sure she was comfortable and had everything she needed. She was under great medical care by Nurse Ashley, who over the course of the last four years cared for her, laughed with her, cried with her and became a friend.
She is the proud Mother of five children, leaving behind Margaret M. (Pete), George W. (Diana ), and William (Kate) and is predeceased by her sons, Raymond W. (Randy) and James P. (Jimmy, Jimbo). She also leaves behind her grandchildren, her little treasures: Vincenzo (Beverly), Alexis (Matthew), Alison, Andrew, James, Nora, Gage, Jaxson and great grandchildren Vincent and Anthony.
If you know, you know - - the bond Peggy and her sisters have, it’s unbreakable. She leaves behind her sisters: Joanna Bryce (Joseph Bryce, Sr.), Jeanine Dolan (Arthur Dolan), Kathryn Valentine (Raymond Valentine) and is predeceased by her sister, M. Patricia Mercurio (Dominic Mercurio) and her brother, J. Nicholas Oberholtzer (Nicky).
She leaves behind countless nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who loved her dearly and spent a lifetime of making memories with her, laughing with her and and listening to her multitude of stories.
In addition to her family, Peggy is the “Mom” to many others. She took many into her home over her lifetime. She had a special bond with each of them. Teresa, Patrick, John and Mark were particularly close to Peggy and were welcomed into her life as if they were her children.
Although she experienced challenges in her life, she persevered with strength and determination. She loved spending time with her family and loved when the entire family was together on vacation or picnics or car rides. She enjoyed old movies and all kinds of books.
The thing about Peggy is that she made every single person feel like they were special. She never made you feel like you made a wrong life decision or that you weren’t someone. She opened her home to anyone, despite their life choices.
During her lifetime she had rich and fulfilling friendships with many women. The friends of her sisters were her friends too.
Two things were important to her, her relationships and her memories. People were her lifelong collection, she didn’t need material possessions - - she cultivated personal relationships.
We cannot put her life into a few words, just know that anyone who met her immediately felt a connection with her.
Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation and funeral Saturday March 27, 2021 beginning at 9:45am in Holy Name of Jesus Church 701 Gaul Street Philadelphia PA 19125 (at Berks). Funeral mass 11am. Interment to follow in Palmer Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to Friends of Palmer Cemetery.
For anyone unable to attend services, we will be streaming her 11am mass through Facebook live on our page McElvarr Funeral Home. You can access this by "liking" our page. If you are not able to watch it live, it does remain on the facebook page for future viewing.
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