Peggy Anne Royston

Peggy Anne Royston, 81, of Westminster died peacefully on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at Sunflower Hill Assisted Living in Westminster.  Born December 13, 1936 in Baltimore, she was the daughter of the late Clayton Edward and Anna (Frederick) Steinacker.

She was the eldest of 10 children, and loved to play school as a child, having taught her siblings to read at a very young age.  She went on to earn an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at Towson University and a master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University.  Peggy was a passionate and dedicated elementary school teacher, having taught 1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th grades in Baltimore County Public Schools. She was frequently the first teacher at school and the last to leave each day, always striving to instill a love of learning in her students.

Peggy was a lady who lived with grace, dignity and integrity.  Having endured Parkinson’s Disease for 38 years, she never let it stop her from doing the things she loved.  She enjoyed travelling, gardening, cooking and reading.  She also took great pride in her grandchildren’s educational achievements and accomplishments.

Surviving are daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Chuck Schildwachter of Taneytown, MD; grandchildren, Emily and Benjamin Schildwachter; 8 siblings and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 1 brother, Wade Steinacker.

In the same spirit of her life of caring for others, in death Peggy chose to participate in the Johns Hopkins Brain Research program for the purpose of medical and scientific advancement toward finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.  A memorial service to celebrate Peggy’s life will be held at 12 Noon on Sunday, September 9, 2018 at MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME, 91 Willis St., Westminster, MD with Hospice Chaplain Nancy Ginsburg officiating.  The family will receive friends from 11 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home.         

Peggy’s desire was to share her passion for teaching by enabling future teachers to attend Towson University with the aid of scholarships, such as those she received to help her fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher.  A memorial scholarship fund has been established in her name.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the “Towson University Foundation" in memory of Peggy Royston.  Donations should be written and sent to: Towson University Foundation, Attn:  Peggy Royston Memorial Teaching Scholarship, 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252-0001.