Margaret (Peggy) Zembower

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 of 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 Ladies Auxiliary 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 a twenty-year service pin.

Peggy enjoyed traveling all over the state of Maryland to various fire department

activities and parades. She and Bruce bought a motor home 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.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to the LAMSFA Bessie Marshall Benefit

Fund c/o Sharon Worthington, 314 Quaker Road, Havre de Grace, MD 21078; or

LAPGCVFRA Mary Baker Memorial Fund c/o Rosa Maher, 9508 Park Avenue, Laurel,

MD 20723, please note in comment section: Peggy Zembower.

Special thank you to Gentiva Hospice for the amazing care given to Peggy and our

family.

Cremation under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home.

Internment is private at Hill Crest Burial Park in Cumberland MD

Elaine Huttonloch, Chaplain

LAPGCVFRA

Sandi Lutz, Chaplain

LAMSFA Past Presidents Club

A Celebration of Life for Margaret "Peggy" Zembower

Borgwardt Funeral Home Sunday, April 26, 2026

4400 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD 20705

 Fly-Over: 1:30pm

 Visitation: 1:00pm - 4:00pm

 Fire Dept and Family Memorial Service

2:00pm

Sharing Memories and Refreshments to Follow Service at: Branchville VFC & RS, 4905

Branchville Road, College Park, MD 301-883-7711