Peggy Smith died on Dec. 18 at St. Helena Hospital in St. Helena. She was 65 years old.
Her husband, Bill Smith, said she died after cancer and emphysema finally overcame her. She had entered the hospital on Thanksgiving day.
“She was mentally alert right to the last minute,” Bill Smith said.
Peggy Smith served on the council from 2002 to 2006.
Council member Joyce Overton said it was shortly after Smith took office in 2002 that she discovered she had emphysema.
“I loved working with her,” said Overton. “She had a lot of energy.”
During Smith's last year on the council, she had to attend meetings in a wheelchair, said Bill Smith.
In 2006, with her health deteriorating, Smith chose not to seek reelection. At that time, fellow Council member Bob Malley also decided not to seek reelection, and Chuck Leonard and Roy Simons were elected to succeed them.
Malley said Sunday that he found Smith “to be truly interested in the inner workings of the city.”
“During her tenure I found that I was eventually able to gain her trust and we ended our terms making some very important decisions for the betterment of the city on the whole,” said Malley.
“Due to her illnesses I wasn't able to work with her as much as I would have liked,” he continued. “During the first couple of years she was unable to really grasp the gravity of early decisions that were made out of anger and not sound judgment, but she eventually came to me and asked how she could help right the wrongs that had been done earlier.”
Malley added, “I found her willing to make sound and hard decisions when presented all of the facts on certain issues. Peggy ended her term as a friend and trusted colleague. She will be missed.”
Since Smith's departure from the council, Overton said she hadn't seen her much. During that time Bill Smith said her health totally deteriorated.
Newly elected Clearlake Vice Mayor Judy Thein, who served with Smith on the council during her last two years, said city flags will be flown at half-staff during the coming week in Smith's memory.
“Throughout her long illness, Peggy showed us that hope can bring forward each new day,” Thein said. “I will remember Peggy for her strength, her courage and her gracious heart.”
Overton called Smith's death “a loss to the community.”
Peggy Smith is survived by five sons; a daughter; two stepsons; 28 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Bill Smith said there will be no local funeral services. However, he expects services will take place in Sacramento at Discovery Park sometime around Easter.
“She strived to do whatever she could for the people of Clearlake,” Bill Smith said.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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