Margaret "Peggy" Anne Lidz

Margaret Anne (née McCool) Lidz, affectionately known as Peggy, was born on February 3, 1943, to John and Emily (née Pue) McCool.

Peggy attended Pelham Memorial High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and a teachers certification from the University of Michigan. She taught in both public and private schools in Michigan, Connecticut, and Maryland. Education was an important part of Peggy’s life, as were her interests in design and the French language. She loved decorating and designing homes and had a natural talent for envisioning spaces, despite having no formal architectural training. She also studied French in high school and college and wrote a book to help parents introduce their children to the language. Peggy loved nature and the outdoors, a passion she shared especially with her son David. They enjoyed camping adventures with the family and exploring the natural world together. She also had a lifelong love of dogs, including Bear, Riley, and Murphy, each of whom became a cherished member of the family. 

Peggy was a devoted wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who took great pride in her family and their accomplishments. She encouraged her children’s creativity and introduced Jonathan and Kelly to theater. During their years performing in Annapolis, Peggy became a principal costume designer for their productions, putting her talent for design to work in a new way. Peggy and her husband, Ted, shared a love of 1950s swing music and dancing and were a memorable pair on the dance floor. Peggy will be remembered for her creativity, curiosity, love of learning, appreciation of nature, and devotion to her family. 

Peggy is survived by her husband, Ted; her brother, Lloyd (Pamela); her children, David (Yessenia), Jonathan (Sophia), and Kelly (Ben); her grandchildren, Erin (Kevin), Devon (Ashley), Jackson, Turner, Everett, and Vivienne; and her great-grandchildren, Finley and Kiera.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00pm on Sunday, August 16, 2026 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 13025 Greensburg Rd., Smithsburg, MD, with Pastor Julie Bringham officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment will follow in Welty Church of the Brethren Cemetery, Smithsburg, MD.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Margaret’s name to the Wildlife Conservation Society, PO Box 96215, Washington DC 20090-6215.

Brandenburg & Stein Funeral Parlor, Gettysburg, is assisting the family with the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at gettysburgfunerals.com.