Peggy Scheide Hancock, 90, of Arnold, Maryland died with peace and faith in the presence of her children on September 12, 2015 after gracefully battling chronic lung disease.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland on October 25, 1924, Peggy was the youngest of William and Pearl Chalmers' eight children. She attended Baltimore City public schools. As a young woman, she operated the switchboard at General Ship Repair, where she met her husband, Melvin Wells Scheide. She left the labor force to care for her children while they were young. She later returned to work outside of the home, accepting a position with the State of Maryland Department of General Services, which she held until her retirement.

Along with Melvin, Peggy embarked on the daring adventure of pioneering what later became the Ulmstead Estates and Bayberry on the Magothy communities of the Broadneck Peninsula. Not long after the end of World War II, they and their baby son took temporary residence in what had served as a Displaced Persons cottage on the property of Ulmstead Farm while building the very first home in Bayberry. The area was forest, fields, and dirt roads at the time, and Peggy had only the farmer and postmaster as neighbors. Armed with the vivacity and strength of character that propelled her through her life and made a powerful impression on everyone who knew her, the former city girl embraced the challenge of settling an undeveloped section of the Magothy River. She created an enchanted childhood for her children, spending her days swimming, fishing, and crabbing with them in tow. She set the stage for many young families who would eventually follow her and Melvin into Ulmstead Estates and Bayberry, creating a template for countless childhoods filled with the adventure that only a river holds.

Peggy and Melvin eventually built and lived in three waterfront homes in Bayberry. The third home was located on a small cove off of the Magothy, and it was here that the pair's graciousness and generosity shone. They hosted scores of song and dance-filled parties in their clubroom. During winter's sub-freezing cold spells, they welcomed ice-skaters to their property, serving them hot chocolate and allowing them access to the frozen cove from their pier. Neighbors informally dubbed the cove "Scheide's Pond," a name which still evokes magical wintertime memories for those who grew up in Ulmstead and Bayberry during the 1960's and 1970's. After Melvin died in 1973, the neighbors successfully petitioned the United States Board of Geographic Names to apply the name "Scheide's Cove" to the body of water in Melvin's honor. It was understood by all that the honor also belonged to Peggy. It was she who maintained the grace and spirit of their Scheide's Cove home for the next 42 years. She leaves an unmatched legacy of strength, hospitality, joy, and love.

In addition to Melvin, Peggy was predeceased by her second husband, Al Hancock. She was the devoted mother of Steven Scheide of Arnold and his wife, Julie; and Susan Howells of Grasonville and her husband, Bob. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren Steven Turner, Sarah Scheide Harris, Mark Turner, Scott Scheide, Dan Turner, and Erin Scheide Tate, and 17 great grandchildren; and by a beloved stepson, David Scheide, and his cherished sons, John and Ryan.

Friends and family may visit on Tuesday, September 15 from 3:00pm – 5:00pm and 7:00pm – 9:00pm at Barranco and Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 16th at 10:00 am at Asbury United Methodist Church, 78 Church Road, in Arnold, with interment to follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Brooklyn Park. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the ALS Association DC/MD/VA Chapter, 7507 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 21205 or the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122.

Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com