Margaret "Peg" Mary Pelch

Margaret "Peg" Mary Pelch

December 17, 1938 – September 4, 2026

Margaret Mary Pelch (née Diblik) — known most simply as "Peg" — passed away peacefully on September 4, 2026, in Mount Airy, Maryland, at the age of 87. She leaves behind a lifetime of friendships, a loving family, and more hand-knitted treasures than anyone could count.

Peg was born on December 17, 1938, in Oak Park, Illinois, to Anthony "Tony" Diblik and Mathilda "Tillie" (Simek) Diblik, and grew up in Berwyn, Illinois, alongside her younger brother, Anthony Diblik. Her parents and brother were among the very few who ever called her "Margaret" — to everyone else, she was Peg. It was in those Berwyn years that she began two of the longest friendships of her life — with her childhood neighbor Raymond Kampe (d. 2013) and her high school best friend Nora Lou Holland, who would go on to marry each other, conveniently keeping Peg's two oldest friends in one household.

In her early adulthood, Peg filled her days with camping trips, fruendly tennis matches, bowling nights, spirited Bridge games, and a good book whenever she could find a quiet moment. Her hands were rarely idle — needlepoint, embroidery, and knitting were lifelong passions, and generations of family and friends have been kept warm by her handiwork.

In 1958, Peg married Joseph "Joe" Cerveny, and the two began a life of adventure together, moving from Army base to Army base across the country. While stationed in San Antonio, Texas, they adopted their daughter, Deborah, in 1963 — and among their many postings was a stint in Maryland, though Peg could hardly have known she would return there to make her home nearly sixty years later. The family eventually settled in LaGrange, Illinois, where they adopted Mark in 1966 and John three years later, completing the family of five.

Peg married George Pelch in May 1990, and the two shared twenty-seven wonderful years together until George's passing in 2017. They made their home in Lisle, Illinois, where they indulged their shared love of music — season after season at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and many a summer evening at outdoor concerts. They were also devoted members of the Saint Barnabas Church community in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, where they served on various committees and the altar guild, and gave generously of their time cooking and serving meals for the local homeless community. And though Peg was a homemaker, she was far from a homebody — she and George traveled the world together, with adventures as far-flung as China and Prague. Her wanderlust never faded: her last great adventure was a cruise to Alaska in 2025.

After George's passing, Peg began a new chapter in Mount Airy, Maryland — and in true Peg fashion, wasted no time making it home. Over her nine years there, she gathered a wonderful circle of new friends, with whom she knitted, read, made floral arrangements, and played spirited games of mahjong. She also enjoyed games of Quirkle with family and friends. She threw herself into her new church community at Saint James, joining the Daughters of the King, volunteering at the St. James Thrift Shop, and — of course — knitting countless items for church fundraisers.

Peg was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George; her oldest child, Debbie; and her parents, Tony and Tillie.

She is survived by her sons, Mark and John (Tania); her grandchildren, Richard "Ricky" Cerveny (Tabitha "Tabby"), Matthew "Matt" Cerveny, and Charles "Chaz" Cerveny; her brother, Anthony "Antone" (Cathy); her three nephews, Tony, Steve, and Greg Diblik; and a long list of dear friends spanning her entire lifetime — from her high school best friend to the many new friends who brightened her final nine years in Maryland.

Peg's was a life stitched together with music, laughter, faith, and friendship — and, like her knitting, made to last and made with love.

A visitation will be held at Stauffer Funeral Home in Mount Airy, Maryland, on Tuesday, September 8, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Two memorial services will follow — one at Saint James Church in Mount Airy, Maryland, and one at Saint Barnabas Church in Glen Ellyn, Illinois — with dates and times to be announced.