1912
Ruth
2014
Ruth Pegg
July 26, 1912 — January 19, 2014
Harlingen:
Ruth B. (Runyan) Pegg, 101, passed away Sunday, January 19, 2014 at her residence in Harlingen. Ruth was born July 26, 1912 in rural Columbia Co., PA to Robert B. and Mary Ellen (Bogert) Runyan. She grew up in Town Hill, PA, where she and her younger brother Al got their first 8 years of education in a one room schoolhouse, giving her a life- long admiration for teachers who were able to juggle 8 grades of lively children at one time. In 1930 she graduated from nearby Huntington Mills High School.
Ruth decided on her future career as a nurse when at age 6, she watched in fascination as her family helped the local doctor turn their kitchen into an emergency operating room. After high school she entered training at Geisinger Hospital in Danville, PA and received her RN degree in 1933, followed by postgraduate work in obstetrics at the Margaret Hague Hospital in New Jersey and Jewish Hospital in New York City. While in training, Ruth met her future husband, Robert W. “Bob” Pegg. They were married on April 22, 1936 and settled in Danville
Following her husband’s retirement from the military at the end of 1960, they came to the Valley. In Harlingen Ruth was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, where she held numerous offices in the women’s organizations and served on the church council. She was a volunteer for 13 years at the former State Chest Hospital on Rangerville Road and a volunteer with the VBMC Auxiliary for 12 years, serving as president and operating the gift shop. She was a member of the US Customs Wives organization, the Newcomers Club and Fine Arts Club, and the Elks and the Harlingen Country Club; organized trips and tours for the Sheperd’s Center senior citizens group; and was a life member of Town and Country Garden Club. Ruth enjoyed golfing and playing bridge and belonged to several dance clubs and bowling leagues. So important were her contributions to Harlingen that the City Commission presented her with a proclamation on her 100th birthday.
A widow since 1978, Ruth has one daughter, Marlene Pegg of Harlingen; one son, Col. (Ret.) Robert W. (Raina) Pegg II of Corpus Christi, TX; grandchildren, Maj. (Ret.) Robert W. (Laura) Pegg III of Flower Mound, TX: Cmdr. (Ret.) Mark A. (Capt. Kerri) Pegg of San Diego, CA; and Kelly J. Pegg of Combine, TX; step-grandchildren, Reba (Rudy) Gandera of San Antonio, TX and James Clark and William Jordan of Corpus Christi, TX; and 5 great-grandchildren and 6 step-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service celebrating Ruth’s life will be held at the Grace Lutheran Church in Harlingen, 11:30 AM, Saturday, January 25, 2014 with Rev. Ryan Pederson officiating.
Since Ruth enjoyed gardening and her own flowers she would prefer that in lieu of flowers any memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church, 1001 E. Jackson, Harlingen, TX 78550 or to the Humane Society of Harlingen, 1106 Markowsky, Harlingen, TX 78550.
Ruth B. (Runyan) Pegg, 101, passed away Sunday, January 19, 2014 at her residence in Harlingen. Ruth was born July 26, 1912 in rural Columbia Co., PA to Robert B. and Mary Ellen (Bogert) Runyan. She grew up in Town Hill, PA, where she and her younger brother Al got their first 8 years of education in a one room schoolhouse, giving her a life- long admiration for teachers who were able to juggle 8 grades of lively children at one time. In 1930 she graduated from nearby Huntington Mills High School.
Ruth decided on her future career as a nurse when at age 6, she watched in fascination as her family helped the local doctor turn their kitchen into an emergency operating room. After high school she entered training at Geisinger Hospital in Danville, PA and received her RN degree in 1933, followed by postgraduate work in obstetrics at the Margaret Hague Hospital in New Jersey and Jewish Hospital in New York City. While in training, Ruth met her future husband, Robert W. “Bob” Pegg. They were married on April 22, 1936 and settled in Danville
Following her husband’s retirement from the military at the end of 1960, they came to the Valley. In Harlingen Ruth was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, where she held numerous offices in the women’s organizations and served on the church council. She was a volunteer for 13 years at the former State Chest Hospital on Rangerville Road and a volunteer with the VBMC Auxiliary for 12 years, serving as president and operating the gift shop. She was a member of the US Customs Wives organization, the Newcomers Club and Fine Arts Club, and the Elks and the Harlingen Country Club; organized trips and tours for the Sheperd’s Center senior citizens group; and was a life member of Town and Country Garden Club. Ruth enjoyed golfing and playing bridge and belonged to several dance clubs and bowling leagues. So important were her contributions to Harlingen that the City Commission presented her with a proclamation on her 100th birthday.
A widow since 1978, Ruth has one daughter, Marlene Pegg of Harlingen; one son, Col. (Ret.) Robert W. (Raina) Pegg II of Corpus Christi, TX; grandchildren, Maj. (Ret.) Robert W. (Laura) Pegg III of Flower Mound, TX: Cmdr. (Ret.) Mark A. (Capt. Kerri) Pegg of San Diego, CA; and Kelly J. Pegg of Combine, TX; step-grandchildren, Reba (Rudy) Gandera of San Antonio, TX and James Clark and William Jordan of Corpus Christi, TX; and 5 great-grandchildren and 6 step-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service celebrating Ruth’s life will be held at the Grace Lutheran Church in Harlingen, 11:30 AM, Saturday, January 25, 2014 with Rev. Ryan Pederson officiating.
Since Ruth enjoyed gardening and her own flowers she would prefer that in lieu of flowers any memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church, 1001 E. Jackson, Harlingen, TX 78550 or to the Humane Society of Harlingen, 1106 Markowsky, Harlingen, TX 78550.
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