Margaret “Peggy” Smith
Margaret “Peggy” Smith
Margaret “Peggy” Smith, of West Ellicott, passed away on January 22, 2023, leaving a long legacy of community service and family. Margaret Lorraine Palmgren was born in Jamestown on November 7, 1930. She was the second of three children born to Rudolph and Alice Adams Palmgren. Margaret was the best friend and wife of Richard D. Smith. They were married on November 10, 1951 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Jamestown.
Margaret graduated from Celoron High School in 1948 and WCA Hospital School of Nursing in 1951. During her 36-year career as a Registered Nurse, Margaret was an Operating Room Staff Nurse, Central Supply Supervisor and the last 16 years of her career as the Coordinating Supervisor for Operating Room and Recovery sections. She retired from Jamestown General Hospital in 1988.
Margaret spent a lifetime promoting the nursing profession and was a charter member of the Jamestown General Hospital Nurses Association, member of the Chautauqua County Graduate Nurses Association, Jamestown Chapter, Buffalo Division of the NYS Nurses Association and Association of Operating Room Nurses.
Margaret and Richard were active in local community organizations including the Moose Lodge, American Legion Post 149, Lakewood Rod & Gun and Thule Lodge where she served as an Inner and Outer Guard. Margaret enjoyed her family and friends, the Saturday Morning Breakfast Club, traveling and reading. Her family, friends and neighbors will remember her kind spirit and patronage of the Seneca tribe.
Margaret was preceded in death by her older sister Betty Palmgren Deffenbaugh and her younger brother Rudolph Theodore “Ted” Palmgren. She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Rick Smith, Vicki and George Watkins, Scott and Jennifer Smith. Grandchildren; Jesse Watkins, Derek and Margaret Watkins, Jennifer and Erik Hodgeman, Lt Col Rudy and Myung Hee Smith, Katelyn Smith, Allie and Will Galvin, Casey Smith and Max Smith. Great-grandchildren, Alex and Grace Watkins, Brett and Marley Hodgeman, Fiona Smith, Lena Hippen-Smith and Avery Smith.
Pursuant to her wishes, her body will be donated to the University of Buffalo Medical School for research. In lieu of flowers, tributes can be directed to the charity of choice or WCA Hospital Alumni Scholarship fund.