Margretta "Peggy" (Smack) Wallace

On Friday January 24th, after a short illness, Margretta “Peggy” Wallace, age 92 of Wilmington, was called by Our Lord to be reunited in heaven with her husband, Francis (2016), her son, Joey (1959) and grandson, Caleb Shaw (2013).  She was also predeceased by her parents, Harry Smack and Greta (McClelland) Bain. 

Peggy was a proud graduate of St. Elizabeth High School.  After graduation, she worked for the DuPont Company at which time she met Francis “Franny” Wallace.  The two would marry in 1954 and start their family.  Once their children were older and in school, Peggy went back to work as a secretary for the State of Delaware’s Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services from where she retired.

Peggy was a lifelong parishioner of St. Matthew Church and a member of their Sodality.   She and Franny were involved in coaching their daughters in softball and participating in many of the church and school activities.  Peggy had a real talent for decorating her home which some would say was like walking into a gift shop.  For years she played Bridge with her many friends and thoroughly enjoyed her summers at their family beach house in Fenwick Island.  Peggy never met a stranger.  She could strike up a conversation with anyone as if she’d known them her entire life.  She was always ready to go and used to say “Don’t invite me if you don’t want me to go”.  She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. 

Peggy is survived by her daughters, Peggy Maiorano (Carmen), Diane Shaw (Michael), and Clare Shaw (James); her grandchildren, Lisa Doak (Ken), Laura Krueck, Corinne Carrido (RJ), David Shaw (Molly), and Maggie Petka (Eric); and her 11 great-grandchildren, Jenna Doak, Oskar Krueck, Chase, Josh and Joey Consalo, Maya Carrido, Ryan and Avery Shaw, Cooper and Audrey Petka, and Summer Shaw.

The family wishes to thank the entire staff of Home Instead and especially Lisa and Valentina who provided Peggy with compassionate care above and beyond what was expected during her illness.

Family and friends are invited to visit from 3:00-5:00 pm on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Monday, February 3, 2025 at St. Matthew Church, 901 E. Newport Pike, Wilmington, DE 19804.  Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Peggy’s memory may be made to Faithful Friends Animal Society, 165 Airport Road, New Castle, DE 19720.

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