Peggy Ruth Horner

Peggy Ruth Horner (Peggy Ruth Rucker Forrest Schafer Horner) was born to Tex and Irene Rucker on June 14, 1937 at Mercy Hospital in San Diego, California. She was mostly raised in San Diego and graduated from Lincoln Senior High School in 1955. At the age 23 she and her then husband bought their home in Santee where she lived happily for 62 years.

Peggy experienced success in her work life over and over again. She was employed by San Diego County, The Check Cashing Place, and Humphrey Mortuary. Peggy always made the effort to understand what was needed at work, and was well known by her colleagues as a team player. Peggy took pride in managing her professional responsibilities and seemed to always know what was necessary to successfully complete a project. Peggy was one to take the initiative and her skills at working cooperatively were highly valued. She was well organized in all the things she sought to accomplish.

Many things can be said about Peggy. She was well known to friends and acquaintances as a compassionate, energetic, and empathic woman. Her extroverted personality and spirited demeanor always made her stand out. For this reason Peggy always seemed to possess a never-ending collection of acquaintances. She never met a stranger and was always delighted to talk to new people, especially children. She had a talent for being socially at ease, adept at conversation, and always amiable in her dealings with others. She would seek to learn what her friends enjoyed and she would go out of her way to make sure that their needs were met. Always the most gracious host when entertaining, she made sure everyone was comfortable and had plenty of food and drink.

Peggy’s friends and family were immensely important to her. She always kept up on what was going on in everyone’s lives, remembering to ask after health and story updates. She loved keeping track of important calendar dates (literally hand-written on a calendar) and acknowledging them, usually with a card. I’m sure anyone reading/hearing this has received their fair share of Peggy cards. She was extraordinarily generous and often gave above her means. She was also generous with her time, always available to lend an ear and give advice, never too busy to be there when she was needed. She had a way of making those around her feel special.

In addition to enjoying life with friends and family, Peggy was also a lover of animals and cherished her pets. When she was a child her parents brought home a puppy, a cocker spaniel whose ears were too long and were always in her water dish so fittingly they named her “Puddles”. Puddles and Peggy were best friends, sharing everything from their bed, to raw hot dogs and ice cream cones. As a young adult she had a Dachshund named Gidget and various other animals, some she didn’t even know were living in her house. Later in life she had a sheepdog named Deke whose affections she stole from her husband Harold who never let her forget it. She also had several grand-pets which she always had treats for when they would visit, especially Rosie who was a frequent caller.

Always the social butterfly, Peggy was extremely out-going and was always looking forward to her next event, whether it be a concert, play, or unreleased movie. She took great pleasure in her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were decorating for and celebrating all holidays (especially Christmas), crafts, sewing, flower arranging, and gambling at the casino. All done with enthusiasm, she had such a passion for life. She also enjoyed traveling. Some of her favorite vacations included her driving vacation with her husband Harold up the One freeway in California, many trips to Las Vegas and Texas to visit family, and her Alaskan cruise.

Peggy grew up with one sibling, her younger brother Carl Rucker. Peggy was constantly involved in all sorts of activities with her family. She was even-tempered, taking care not to get involved in too many family conflicts. This quality served her well, in perpetually bringing harmony, understanding and a sense of peace to the family. Peggy was a person who genuinely understood and cared for others, making powerful connections with those she knew. Peggy was a mentor, a natural “teacher” capable of seeing things clearly, leading others and bringing out the best in all of those around her. She generally had a focus on harmony and peace.

Peggy passed away on February 15, 2022 at San Diego, California at 84 years old. She is survived by her three sons, Jeffrey L. Forrest (Ida), Richard P. Forrest (Wendy), Michael S. Forrest (Hillary), her grandchildren, Steven P. Forrest, Joshua Forrest (Amanda), Samantha Forrest (Mike), Preston Forrest, Parker Forrest, her great grandchildren Maci Boles (Adam) & Preston S. Forrest, Sister-in-law Jeanie Rucker, niece Kristi Purtle, and nephew Robert Rucker.

Throughout her life, Peggy was a spirited and enthusiastic woman. She was generous in sharing her personal attributes, giving and helping those she knew and loved. She was imaginative, original, tender hearted and easy to get along with. Even with declining health, Peggy chose to live life on her own terms. She maintained a mostly independent household and lived with dignity. Though in her last few years she could be cantankerous at times, her heart was always in the right place. Peggy was such a genuine spirit, a beacon of kindness and warmth. She leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and cherished memories. The world is a little lesser without her in it. Everyone whose lives she touched will dearly remember her, every firework or Christmas light will be a sweet reminder. She will be missed but never forgotten.

Celebration will be held, on June 25, 2022 at 10330 Strathmore Drive, Santee, CA 92071, from 2 PM - 5PM.