Norma Lee Pegelow

Norma Lee (Parker) Pegelow of Delmar, a devoted mother, grandmother, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the age of 96. She was born on March 15, 1928, in Delmar, MD, and spent her final years in Carlisle, Pennsylvania with her family by her side. A proud graduate and valedictorian of Delmar Maryland High School in 1945, Norma went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from State Teacher’s College (now Salisbury University) in 1949. Following her passion for teaching, she began her career at Powellville Elementary School and later taught at schools in Fruitland, Delmar (Delaware), and Laurel. In 1950, she married her loving husband, and following the birth of her daughter in 1962, she stepped away from her teaching career to dedicate her time to being a stay-at-home mother. She often served as a substitute teacher at Delmar Elementary, and she later returned to the classroom as an aide, retiring from Delmar High School in 1988. Norma was a beloved teacher whose impact on her students will always be remembered, and her teachings have shaped many lives. In her retirement, Norma and her husband loved traveling, making wonderful memories with friends and family. Their final trip was to visit their oldest grandchild, who had just started college in Iowa. She loved to read, continuing to enjoy listening to audiobooks as her eyesight faded, and found joy in crocheting beautiful afghans and baby blankets for her loved ones. Norma was a lifelong member of St. Stephen's United Methodist Church, where she not only taught Sunday School but also served as the superintendent, and was a part of the Deborah Circle, contributing to her community with love and care. Her service extended beyond the church as a member of the Delmar New Century Club and the VFW Post 8276 Ladies Auxiliary. Over the years, she dedicated herself as a volunteer Maryland representative on the Delmar Public Library Board of Commissioners for more than 20 years and lent her time to the Peninsula Eye Center in Salisbury, Maryland. She is survived by her cherished daughter, Elizabeth Messick, and her son-in-law, Keith Messick of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Norma was a proud grandmother to Timothy A. Messick (Megan) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Deborah L. Michael (Tyler) of Enola, Pennsylvania, and Susan R. Wolfe (Joshua) of Mount Holly Springs, Pennsylvania. She was especially happy to be a great-grandmother to Elliana, Clementine and Clark Michael, Oliver and Henry Messick, and Kieran and Ezra Wolfe. Each of them held a special place in her heart. She was preceded in death by her mother, Pearl Livingston Parker; father, E. Thomas Parker; beloved husband, Ernest Herman Pegelow; and her brother, David Lee Parker. Funeral services will be held at Short Funeral Home in Delmar on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in St. Stephen’s Cemetery in Delmar. In memory of Mrs. Pegelow, contributions may be sent to the Delmar Public Library, 101 N. Bi-State Blvd., Delmar, DE 19940. Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.

Norma Lee Pegelow

March 15, 1928 - February 8, 2025