Margaret Riley “Peggy” Sherald

Margaret “Peggy” Riley Sherald passed from this life on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Peggy was born in Youngstown, Ohio, the daughter of Raymond J. Riley and Helen P. Barry Riley.

She was raised in the loving home of Julian Edward “Pete” Sante and Peg Sante of Rockville, Maryland, who provided her with a foundation of love, strength and family that shaped her life.

Peggy was the devoted wife of Thomas “Tom” Sherald, whom she met while attending Frostburg State College. Together they shared 53 years of marriage. She was a loving and devoted mother to Patrick Riley Sherald and to her late daughter, Laura McCarthy Sherald, who passed from this life in 1986. Peggy carried Laura’s memory in her heart always. She was especially proud of and deeply cherished her role as “Grammy” to her beloved grandchildren, Ryleigh and Brody, children of Patrick and his wife, Katherine, who brought her immeasurable joy.

Peggy and Tom spent most of their lives in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where they built their home, family, and community. More recently, they relocated to Morgantown, West Virginia to be closer to their son and grandchildren.

Peggy was a proud graduate of Richard Montgomery High School and Shepherd College and obtained multiple master’s degrees. She dedicated more than 40 years of service to Frederick County Public Schools, where she worked as a teacher and later as a librarian. Through her work, she touched countless lives with her kindness, patience, and quiet encouragement.

Peggy was known for her unwavering positivity and strength. She faced life’s hardships—the loss of her mother, the devastating loss of a child, and a lifelong, life-altering illness—with remarkable grace. These challenges never crushed her spirit, her faith, or her beautiful smile. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. She was an avid reader and deeply loved creating family holiday traditions that brought everyone together and filled her home with warmth, joy, and lasting memories.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, son, and grandchildren, together with Peggy’s siblings namely Kathleen, Patricia, Timothy, Richard, Beth, Tina, Annette (Nini), and Andie, along with extended family, dear friends, former colleagues, and all whose lives she touched.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Mount Saint Mary’s University Seminary Dining Room in Emmitsburg MD on January 5, 2026, from 4:00–7:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Beyond Type 1 Diabetes https://beyondtype1.org/donate/ in her honor. 

A private burial with family will take place at Mount Saint Mary’s Cemetery on January 6, 2026.