Margaret Anne Ditzel, 78, of Severna Park, passed away on August 29, 2024. Peggy, as she was affectionately known as, was born on August 8, 1946 in Ridley Park, PA to Charles and Margaret "Mickey" Swenker.

She was raised in Prospect Park, PA, and her neighbor Nancy was her best friend. Peggy was a Brownie and Girl Scout. She attended Interboro High School in Glen Olden, PA where she played hockey and soft ball. When she was 14 her grandmother came to stay with them while recovering from a hip fracture, and Peggy helped with the care. She also volunteered at a local hospital for two summers. She became inspired decided to become a nurse. She started her nursing education in September of 1964 at the Johns Hopkins Hospital School of Nursing. Thanks to Sheila Teague Bowman, she met Jerry Ditzel in early 1965. She graduated on September 10, 1967 and married Jerry 6 days later. Her first nursing job was as a Public Health Nurse in Baltimore City working in clinics, schools, and doing home visits.  She did that work for 20 years. Years later, she would enjoy watching "Call The Midwife" which reminded her of her prior job.

In November of 1969 the couple welcomed their daughter, Rebecca affectionally known as Becky. While working and being a mom and wife, she graduated from the University of Baltimore Summa Cum Laude in 1978 and was recognized as a member of the Wilson Honor Society. The couple later moved to Severna Park, MD and Peggy worked on an in-patient psychiatric unit at the Baltimore-Washington Medical Center for 20 years. Peggy retired in January of 2010.

The whole family were animal lovers. Their pets would consist of many cats and dogs, especially Weimaraners. Becky would care for many homeless animals. Peggy was a pushover and would indulge in her daughter's request to adopt a pet in the event Becky couldn't do it herself. In her spare time, Peggy enjoyed sailing, playing card games, watching the local evening news, and Jeopardy. The marriage of Becky and Judd Allender and the birth of their son, Kellen, were some of the family highlights.

Peggy was a devout Christian and a member of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Severna Park and regularly attended Mass. She loved to read her bible with a bowl of grapes and a very hot cup of tea. Peggy enjoyed going to lunch and reminiscing with friends, nursing school classmates, and hospital colleagues. She was a very good listener and took a particular interest in counseling family and friends though difficult situations. Peggy was always eager to provide suggestions or advice when asked about health issues. Unfortunately, she didn't practice what she preached when it came to her own health problems. The last two and a half years of Peggy's life was filled with many challenges. Her grandson, Kellen, was diagnosed with seizures, Becky was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2022, and Peggy had many health challenges. She broke bones from her neck to her pelvis in 2023, had a heart attack, and had many other health issues. She spent much of this past year in a hospital, rehab, and eventually an assisted living facility.

Peggy was a big fan of classical music which she introduced to her grandson, Kellen. They both enjoyed listening to it together whenever they had an opportunity.

Peggy is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry who passed away in November of 2009 due to a glioblastoma and their daughter, Rebecca Allender who passed way in March of 2024 also due to a glioblastoma.

Peggy is survived by her son-in-law, Judd Allender and her grandson Kellen Allender, both of Severna Park.