Margaret Ann (Schell) Zembower, also known as Peggy, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2025 at 4:06 a.m. at her home with her daughter at her side. She was 83 years old and resided in Santa Rosa Beach with her daughter, Nancy; son-in-law, Kevin; and adopted granddaughter, Chrissy.

Peggy was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania to James Herbert Schell, Sr. and Elda Marie Schell on February 9, 1942.

On February 15, 1958, she married her childhood sweetheart, Bruce Ross Zembower, Sr. (deceased February 25, 1996), in Cumberland, Maryland.

Later, on March 17, 2001, she married a longtime friend, John Berryman (deceased October 21, 2008), in Middletown, Maryland.

Peggy went to school at Alleghany High School in Cumberland and lived in Maryland until moving to Florida in early 2000.

She was born into a Volunteer Fire Department family and married into one as well. She continued serving until her stroke in September 2024. Peggy was a member of the LaVale Volunteer Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary (VFDLA) for 45-plus years. She was a member of the Alleghany-Garrett County VFDLA and held the office of President in 2017-2018. Peggy served on various committees as well.

After she moved from Western Maryland, she lived in Langley Park, Beltsville and Frederick, MD. She continued to volunteer.

Peggy belonged to Chillum Adelphi VFDLA for ten-plus years and held several offices and committees including President 1967 through 1968.

She joined the Beltsville VFDLA in 1970 and held the offices of Vice President and President for many years. She served on various committees as well (Ways & Means, Kitchen, Point System and Catering). Peggy was involved in all of the Fire Department activities: bingo, weddings, parties, parades and carnivals, as well as taking her children to march in MANY parades. She was an Active Life member for fifty years. She received two service awards from the Fire Department in 2002 and 2006.

Peggy was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (for more years than most can count). She held many committee positions and all of the thirteen offices culminating in President from 1986 to 1987, (following in the footsteps of both her mother and mother-in-law). In 2002, Peggy was inducted in the LAMSFA Hall of Fame and in 2009, she received the Honey Award for dedicated service to volunteer emergency services. She has been a long-time member of the PP Club (Past Presidents club).

She was also a member of the Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. Once again, she held many committee positions and all of the thirteen offices culminating in President from 2005 to 2006. She received a pin for fifty years of service.

Finally, she was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Junior No.2 Fire Department in Frederick, earning her pin for twenty years of service.

Peggy enjoyed traveling all over the state of Maryland to various fire department activities and parades. She and Bruce bought a motorhome and traveled the country until he became ill. She did stipulate that trips could be no longer than three months once she had grandchildren. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren immensely; they were her life. Any time she got the chance, she would take one or both of her granddaughters on trips.

She spent much of her life babysitting children. Eventually, even the children of some of the children she babysat.

Peggy was an avid reader and especially loved reading books about the Amish Country. She loved trips to Lancaster.

Peggy had season tickets to Redskin games for many years, going originally with Bruce and then later with Kevin and Nancy. She had quite the Redskin wardrobe.

Lastly, but not least, she loved her church, bible studies, and helping out with various activities at church. She was raised in a Lutheran church.

She is survived by her children, Nancy Moore (Kevin), Elizabeth Zembower, and Bruce Zembower, Jr. (Carol); grandchildren, Katherine Mautz (Christian) and Christina Moore; great grandchildren, Carter Mautz and Claire Mautz; sibling, James H. Schell, Jr; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Bruce Zembower, Sr. and John Berryman, Sr; grandchild, Jenna Zembower; great grandchild, Kayden Mautz; her parents and in-laws; and sibling, Lois Hetz.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Community Church of Santa Rosa Beach at 3524 US Highway 98 West in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, officiated by Pastor Steve Squires and Pastor Scooter Ward. There will be a light reception to greet the family after the service.

There will be a Family Visitation Fire Department Memorial Service and Celebration of Life in the Spring of 2026; details to follow later.

In lieu of flowers, a Memorial Fund has been set up at Community Church of Santa Rosa Beach. Donations may be mailed to Community Church, P.O. Box 1723, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, or may be given online at: give.srbcc.com in the comment section: Peggy Zembower Memorial.

Cremation under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home.