Margaret “Peg” Owen Wert

Margaret “Peg” Owen Wert, of Willow Street, PA died May 8, 2012 at Arbor View at Willow Valley. Born in Ridgway, PA, she was the daughter of the late Alden Bradford and Aura Beatha Powell Owen. She was the wife of the late John R. Wert, III.

Peg graduated from Jefferson Medical College School of Nursing in 1938 and continued her studies at University of Pennsylvania. In 1942 she enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps requesting overseas duty. She joined a group of doctors and nurses from Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ and became a member of the 61st Station Hospital Unit. She was among the first nurses to go through the Straits of Gibraltar to land in Oran, Algeria. After Africa was cleared, the unit moved to Foggia, Italy.

She had been employed by Carrier Clinic and Princeton Hospital. She retired from Princeton University as Director of Nursing at McCosh Infirmary.

Peg enjoyed a lifelong love of music beginning in high school where she won local vocal competitions, and later entertained troops while in the Army. She was a choir member at Hopewell Presbyterian Church, and was one of the first members of the Hopewell Valley Chorus. Upon moving to Willow Valley, she joined the Chorale and more recently took up the ukulele! Peg was a Hopewell, NJ resident for many years before moving to Willow Street, PA in 1986 and began attending the First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster.

An active volunteer for many years, she was involved in the Girl Scouts of America, Hopewell Museum, F.I.S.H., The Lancaster Historical Society, and at Willow Valley Lakes Manor; the Computer Club, Video Club and many other organizations. She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Her survivors include her children, Margaret D. Mueller, wife of Wolfgang Mueller, Barbara W. Reeder, wife of Thomas Reeder, James O. Wert, husband of Mary Louise Pierson; her grandchildren, David Mueller, Karen Roberts, Matthew Reeder, Trevor Reeder, Marnie Owen, Griffin Wert, Raven Pierson and three great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband and siblings, W. James Owen, Edith Owen McCutcheon, and Alden Bradford Owen, Jr.

The family is grateful for the caring nurses and staff at Arbor View and her many friends at Willow Valley Retirement Community, especially her dear friend Jane Fehr.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hopewell Presbyterian Church “Making Connections” Fund.

A Celebration of Peg’s life will be held Monday, May 14th, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at Hopewell Presbyterian Church, 80 West Broad Street Hopewell, NJ 08525 with Pastor Michael Capron officiating. Friends may call at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Interment will be in Old School Baptist Cemetery.