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Margaret ‘Peggie’ Rombach
Margaret “Peggie” Rombach, born Aug. 7, 1929, left to meet God on May 24, 2020, at 4 a.m. … of course.
She was a resident of Larkspur and Novato in Marin County, California, Upper Lake, California, and more recently, Ashland, Oregon.
Peggie was proceeded in death by ex-husband Marcel and her longtime beau Don Mills.
She was the mother of Kim Rombach Smith-Harpham of Talent, Oregon, Kit Rombach of Enumclaw, Washington, and Rex Rombach (and Jane) of St Helena, California.
Peggie was also the beloved grandmother of Chris Rombach (and Adrienne) of Cary, North Carolina, Kelly Rombach (and Sherrie) of Vacaville, California, Josh Smith (and Ingra) of Weaverville, California, Meghan Smith-Moore (and Dave) of Phoenix, Oregon, Joy Harpham (and Devin) of Tillamook, Oregon, and Danit Hubbell Hudson (and Stephen) of Aurora, Colorado.
She was the great-grandmother of Melody, Ian, Owen, Kaia, Jenna, and Emily.
Born to the adversity of the great depression, Peggie did the cooking, cleaning and bill delivery at age 7 while her mother worked and attended cosmetology school. As such, she decided early to take action that would ensure a productive future.
Peggie obtained her degree at 18 and her master’s degree at age 20 after attending UC Berkeley and San Francisco State. She began teaching and coaching at 18 – only slightly older than some of her students.
Known to many as “Mrs. R,” Peg taught at Marin Catholic High, Hill Jr. High and Novato High School before retiring in 1990. She was a PE teacher, coach, mentor and friend. She influenced countless students to become teachers and coaches themselves, as well as to be the very best version of themselves.
Mrs. R never forgot a name and knew every one of her student's names by day two of class. It was always important to her that the quiet, shy or "invisible" kids got a smile, hello or wave as she spoke their name.
She loved the outdoors and travel. The Rombach family often hunted, fished or camped with friends in Clear Lake and Mill Creek, California, or went for summer drive trips – once to Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Arizona.
Peggie was a member of the International Track and Field Association. With them, she traveled the world and attended nearly every Summer Olympics since 1972.
In 1987, Peggie was inducted into the San Francisco State University Hall of Fame for Athletics. She remained a staunch supporter of the Women’s Physical Education scholarship program.
Her lovely singing voice graced church choirs and congregations in Novato (Novato Presbyterian) and Upper Lake.
Like her mother Martha before her, Peggie was an avid animal lover and caretaker. She cared for many cats (Puttie, Brat, Miss Calico, Tom Tom), as well as dogs (Jack, Susie, Don, Breu, Jack II). She fed many a “momma” or tomcat that showed up on her properties – always catching them to get them spayed or neutered on her own dime.
With her predeceased partner, Don Mills, she raised sheep – at one point over 1,100 of them – that grazed the hills above Terra Linda to help with fire control and her property in Upper Lake.
Her beau Don passed on shortly after Peg moved to Upper Lake. But in typical "Peggie" fashion, she embraced her new locale. She made many close friends. She began to ride along with the Lake County Road Riders motorcycle club, where she would participate in their annual Christmas Toy ride for charity.
The sheriff’s department appreciated Peg’s volunteering to organize the files and reports room. The Lucerne Senior Center was also grateful for her volunteering to help serve lunches three days a week. And she always volunteered to work the polls on Election Day.
Peggie was always quick to laugh, offer some keen wit or push up her glasses with that certain finger.
Anyone that knew Peggie knew she could be tough if necessary. She was fearless, but she was always humble, generous, ready to serve, assist or offer support.
Peggie was always there for a friend in need. Remember those 15-minute Peggie visits? Were you familiar with Peggie's famous 3x5 correspondence cards with over 400 names and dates?
To the amazement of many, she always sent friends and former students timely birthday cards and congratulations for life events. In turn, her home was filled with hundreds of cards sent to her – at Christmas on every tabletop, shelf and lampshade.
When she could no longer address them all, she asked for help from her “Visiting Angels” caregivers and also from her granddaughters. Some also recall that many a holiday Peggie baked persimmon pudding and delivered them to neighbors near and far.
Both Peggie and her family are extremely grateful for the loving care provided by her “Visiting Angels,” Bridget, Shyannah, Leslie, Maureen, Shannon and Nayomi, as well as Hospice of Jackson County Oregon and Hospice experts Holly and Syl.
Her family invites you to visit Peggie's memorial website at https://www.forevermissed.com/peggie-rombach/ . Please feel free to share your best Peggie story or post a favorite photo.
Due to COVID-19 circumstances, no services are planned at this time.
Donations in Peggie's memory can be made to a charity of your choice – may we suggest Animal Friends Rescue Project begun by none-other-than Doris Day or geriatric research, or___?
Condolences may be sent c/o Kim Harpham, 992 Golden Aspen Pl., Ashland, OR 97520.
