Peggy J. Eskridge, 79

Peggy J. Eskridge of Galestown died Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford, Del. She was 79.

She was born in Laurel to the late Roland S. Collins and Florence Ward Collins. Peggy was raised since the age of 12 by James and Pearl Ward Lynch.

Peggy worked at E.I. DuPont Co. in the mailroom and for Dorchester County School District as a substitute teacher. She was a member of Sharptown Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary, Laurel Alumni Association, Wheatley UM Church, Martha Rebekah Lodge No. 21, lifetime member of Maryland PTA, Dorchester Farm Bureau Women"s Committee, and she volunteered at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital and Peninsula Regional Medical Center. A lifetime member of Eldorado-Brookview Volunteer Fire Department. She also enjoyed her Windows Club in Seaford.

She was preceded in death by her husband Harold F. Eskridge, in 1995.

She is survived by a son and a daughter-in-law, Gary and Pam Eskridge of Galestown, Md.; a daughter and a son-in-law, Janet and Ray Nicholas Jr. of Vienna, Md.; three sisters-in-law, Shirley Smith of Rockport, N.Y., Florence Davis and her husband, Harold of Princess Anne, Md., Nancy Eskridge of Princess, Md.; a sister, Eleanor Lee West and her husband, Charles P. of Gumboro, Del.; a special cousin, Carolyn Brittingham and her husband, Ray of Laurel, Del.; her grandchildren, Benjamin Eskridge and Emily Eskridge, both of Galestown and Ray Nicholas III of Vienna; nieces and nephews, Charles P. West II and his wife, Debbie of Gumboro, Carol Davis Hobbs and her husband, Richard of Fruitland, Laura Davis Mears and her husband, Thomas of Berlin and Judy Eskridge Gucker and her husband, Ed of Rockport; and several cousins.

Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home, 700 West St., Laurel.

A funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home where friends may call one hour earlier.

Burial will be held in the family farm cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Laurel Alumni Association, P.O. Box 382 Laurel, DE 19956; or Wheatley U.M. Church Preservation Fund, c/o Beverly Wheatley 5833 Wheatley Church Road, Seaford, DE 19973.