Margaret "Peggy" DeBiase

On Friday, April 5, Margaret (Peggy) DeBiase, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, passed away at the age of 91. She was born in Princeton, New Jersey on January 15, 1933, the daughter of Italian immigrants. Her parents, Michele and Lucia Carnevale, came to the United States from the province of Campobasso in southern Italy. She grew up in an environment of love, with her parents, her brothers Tony and Mike, and her grandmother Antoniella. She graduated from Princeton High School in 1951, and then attended Virginia Intermont College.

In January of 1955, Peggy received an invitation to a party in Brooklyn through a connection with her sorority sister. At the party, she met Charlie DeBiase, and by the end of the night, he asked Peggy what she was doing the next day. She replied that she was going to church. He said he really admired people who went to church, but he didn't. He asked to meet her for breakfast afterwards, and ensured Peggy’s safe journey back to Princeton by train. 

Charlie then began making regular weekend visits by the same train to Princeton to be with Peggy, and even becoming a part of her family household. Their bond deepened, leading to an engagement in April, culminating in a heartfelt marriage on September 4, 1955, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Princeton. Over the ensuing years, their love flourished—blessed with the arrival of four children—all the while Charlie remained steadfast in joining Peggy and their children to church.

In 1972, Charlie's company relocated, and the family was uprooted from Princeton to Denver. The move from family was difficult for Peggy, but she quickly embraced a new and wonderful life in Colorado. Once her children were grown, she volunteered at the Denver Art Museum and became a docent for nearly three decades. Over the years, she became active in an antique club, book club, and a bridge group, forging many lifelong friendships. She loved to travel and immerse herself in foreign cultures, collecting treasures along the way. Peggy adored her many pets throughout the years, and her most recent dog, Latte, never left her side. Peggy was a magnificent cook and her authentic meals were the centerpiece of family gatherings. 

She was no stranger to hardship and struggles. In 1995, she lost her loving husband after a 12-year struggle with Alzheimer’s. Through these difficult times and all other hardships, she demonstrated that love bears all things and endures all things.

Peggy’s devotion to her family knew no bounds. She was a loving wife to her husband and nurturing mother to her children. In her later years, her joy found new depth in the laughter of her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren—relishing every moment she spent with them. 

Beyond her family circle, Peggy’s loyalty and compassion extended far and wide, touching the lives of many, and through all of her days, she fought the good fight and kept the faith.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie, brother, Tony, and sister, Antonette. She is survived by her brother, Mike Carnevale, her children, Cheryl Rauch (Scott), Mark DeBiase (Catherine), Karyn Smith (Marlis), and Craig DeBiase, and grandchildren, Megan Rauch, Michael Rauch (Brooke), Mallory Gallagher (Jimmy), Charles (CJ) DeBiase, Lucas DeBiase, Mikele Oldani (Tony), Mariah Smith, and Marissa Smith. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Emerson Gallagher and Gianna Oldani. A private funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name Catholic Church, followed by burial next to her beloved Charlie at Fort Logan National Cemetery.