Margaret ""Peggy"" Speckman

Margaret (Peggy) Preston Speckman, born May 10, 1933, to Robert and Eleanor Preston, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2017 surrounded by family. Born in Providence, RI, and raised in Rehoboth, MA, after graduation from Smith College, Peggy drove across the country with cousin Linda to Pinedale, WY. Shortly thereafter she relocated permanently to Denver, CO. She worked at the United States Bank (United Bank) where she met her husband Carroll Speckman. They were married in September 1959 and had three children, Mark, Jennifer and Sara. Peggy believed strongly in community involvement and began volunteer work in her early years in Providence, RI. After arriving in Colorado, she immediately began volunteer work with a number of organizations including Colorado General Hospital (now University Hospital). She was an active member in the Junior League, National Society of the Colonial Dames (NSCDA), National Trust for Historic preservation (Board Member), Smithsonian Institute, Audubon Society, and the Nature Conservancy. Peggy's love of art and history drove her volunteer work with the Byers-Evans House in Denver, Hotel de Paris Museum in Georgetown, and Artists of America Show (Denver Rotary Club). She was also active in the education of her children through her participation in the PTA at their elementary, junior and high schools. Peggy was also an avid genealogist, tracing her ancestry back many centuries to the Mayflower and prior. Her precise and well-researched ancestral data was often sought by other experienced genealogists across the country. Peggy was a horsewoman at heart and was an accomplished rider, particularly dressage. Her love of horses was evident throughout her lifetime. She was quite athletic playing field hockey in school, sailing, swimming (lap and synchronized), and tennis, and enjoyed long walks with Carroll and their dogs, her favorite being those in the mountains with golden retrievers Rob and Ellie. Other interests include sewing, knitting, sailing, and gardening. She was also an excellent cook and because of her celiac, was developing wonderful gluten free recipes long before it became commonplace. Peggy and Carroll enjoyed traveling around the world in their retirement years, particularly enjoying the beaches of Hawaii. Peggy was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Anne. She is survived by her husband, Carroll, their children, Mark (Lora) Speckman, Jennifer Bennett, Sara (Brian) Struzeski, and grandchildren Emily, Jacob, and Rickert Speckman, Michael and Porter Bennett, Joey and Johnny Struzeski. Peggy loved being involved in her grandchildren's lives, supporting any and all events and activities, many while openly weeping with love and pride. In lieu of flowers, Peggy requested donations be made to NSCDA-CO, the Hotel de Paris Museum (for both please send to P O Box 746, 409 6th Street, Georgetown, CO 80444) or New England Historic Genealogical Society. The family would like to express enormous gratitude and appreciation for the wonderful and loving care Peggy received the last few years while in the Vi Retirement Skilled Nursing Center in Highlands Ranch. Memorial service to be held at Horan & McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood, Tuesday, 5/30, 2:00 p.m.