Margaret (Peggy) G. Hotmer Smith, loved to dance
The family of Margaret (Peggy) G. Hotmer Smith sadly announce their mother’s passing Thursday, April 2, 2020, at the age of 99. Peggy was born in Manhattan, N.Y., Nov. 22, 1920. She was the daughter of the late James and Margaret Fraser.
She was the beloved mother of Linda Lavelle (Jim), Janis Webb (Bill), Bruce Hotmer, Doug Hotmer (Dianne), Roger Hotmer (Caroline); grandmother of Peggy Lynn Zugehar, Nora Andrews, Ed Lavelle, Jim Lavelle, Kaitlin Hottage, Matt Hotmer, Alexandria Hotmer Kelley, Greta Hotmer, Brandon Hotmer and Christina Hotmer; great-grandmother of Victoria Zugehar, Bridget Andrews, Kevin Andrews, Kaeli Andrews, Jimmy Lavelle, Katie Lavelle and Ryan Lavelle; sister-in-law of Gloria Janicki (Tony). Peggy was predeceased by her husbands, Warren L. Hotmer, Robert J. Smith, and companion Frank Vito.
Peggy knew how to enjoy life. She was happy and positive every day. She always had a glow about her that radiated a life lived well. Peggy was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star of New Jersey and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She worked for DuPont for over 20 years and also did a lot of volunteering: Red Cross for 10 years helping veterans at Perry Point and knitting lap blankets for them; reading to children at the Alfred I. DuPont Hospital; helping at Bissell Hospital, Millsboro Nursing Home and Lewes Convalescent Center. She was ordained a deacon at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Peggy's greatest love was for her family and she would say that they were the jewels and blessings of her life. She also loved dancing, particularly ballroom dancing. She started dancing as a young girl and continued throughout the rest of her life. She taught ballroom dancing with her late husband, Warren, was sought out to do dance exhibitions, and even at the age of 93, danced with a professional dance instructor one more time. She belonged to the Cape Henlopen Senior Center where she danced and sang in many shows. She also loved making crafts, painting and telling stories.
For the past seven years, Peggy was a resident of Brandywine Living at Longwood. She made wonderful new friends, participated in all their activities, brought love and smiles to all the people there and was happy when they had parties so she could dance yet again. The family will be forever grateful to all the staff at Brandywine Living at Longwood for the love and heartfelt care she got, and they would like to express their thanks and love to everyone there.
Peggy's Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date and communicated by her family.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her memory to the animal shelter Faithful Friends, 12 Germay Drive, Wilmington, DE 19804, phone number 302-427-8514. https://faithfulfriends.us/.
