Margaret Anne Williams

Margaret Anne Thomas Williams was born in Fontana, California on October 2, 1956 to James and Geraldine Thomas. ‘Peggy’ was the second oldest of three sisters, Rosemary, Patricia and Teresa. Raised in Rialto, California, she spent her formative years as a rough and tumble tomboy. Peggy graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1974. She continued her education at San Bernardino City College and Cal State San Bernardino.

While working part time jobs, Peggy enjoyed spending her free time playing intramural sports, especially softball. Her athleticism and love for sports led her to become a top draft pick on many competitive teams.

She relocated to Sacramento, California where she received her Bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation at Cal State Sacramento. Peggy worked for the state of California (CalTrans) as a Right of Way Agent, appraising property

for future state projects. She later transferred to the Department of Water Resources, employing her skills as a land surveyor and making lifelong friendships and memories with her survey crews.

On Valentine's Day weekend in 1987, Peggy and Evan met on a blind date in Apple Valley. That weekend sparked a long distance courtship which culminated in their marriage in Long Beach, California on December 12, 1987. They made their home in Apple Valley, where their two children Colin and Eileen were born.

Peggy was a “stay at home mom” for about six years where Colin and Eileen received her unremitting and loving attention. She provided to both of them countless, irreplaceable memories and the very special foundational gifts of play, music, and reading. A playful and loving mother, she was their first teacher of “life” imparting on them the importance of education, self-assuredness, kindness and humor. Peggy often remarked that her children were her greatest legacy.

Peggy’s love of reading led her to obtain her certificate as a library media technician where she worked at Apple Valley High School. She enjoyed her colleagues and having lunch almost everyday with her own children in the library. She later transitioned to the Career Center where she helped hundreds of students navigate the difficult topics of financial aid, the workplace, college and career choices.

Over the years, our family has traveled and been on countless adventures (trips which always had a story attached to them). Peggy loved camping and exploring National Parks. She enjoyed traveling to Canada, Mexico and Europe. We experienced the fall colors of Vermont and New Hampshire. She enjoyed the numerous trips to big cities on the

East coast such as Boston and New York, always taking the time to educate herself on the culture and history of the places she was visiting. Peggy loved the ocean sounds and breezes while taking walks on the beach at Carlsbad State Beach, always ensuring to take in deep breaths of the ocean ions. Of course, her favorite adventure… the majestic natural beauty of Zion National Park.

We all have our special memories of Peggy: her smile, laughter, jokes, friendliness, her graciousness towards so many, and her shocking irreverence, especially to politics. She will always be affectionately called “Oma” by her precious grandchildren. Colin and Chrys’ sons, Noah and Zachary, and Eileen and Joe’s two children, Chloe and Joey. Peggy loved life, her family, her pets and her friends. She enjoyed knitting, reading, singing, watching mysteries and football, Marvel movies, camping, traveling and having fun. Peggy relished a good, strong laugh and through her example she always encouraged others to “embrace joy,” as she would say.

Services will be held on April 1, 2023 at Sunset Hills Mortuary in Apple Valley, California at 11:00 am.