Obituary of Margaret Pennington Gelbach

Margaret Pennington Gelbach Mrs. Margaret "Peggy" Pennington Gelbach, 82, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at Presbyterian Hospital. She was born on December 21, 1926 in Hamlet, North Carolina, a daughter of the late A.K. and Mary Louise Pennington. Peggy Gelbach grew up in Aberdeen, North Carolina. She attended Aberdeen High School, Brevard Junior College, and Greensboro College. Upon graduation from GC she taught school and worked in Christian Education. She met and married the love of her life, David Kinzer Gelbach, and they spent the next 57 wonderful years together. Peggy and David moved to Charlotte in 1960. Peggy worked alongside David in his photography studio painting portraits. As a young woman, new to the city, she summoned her courage to attend an audition in the basement of the First Methodist Church with Dr. Richard Peek for the annual performance of The Messiah. She was offered the alto soloist position and sang in The Messiah for the next four years. The audition opened a door for Peggy as she became Section Leader and Contralto Soloist at Covenant Presbyterian Church for the next 23 years. Peggy's life-long love of music was evident in her many musical endeavors. She sang with the Charlotte Oratorio Singers, was a member of the Symphony Guild, and performed in numerous supporting roles with the Charlotte Opera. Peggy took advantage of the free performance rehearsals to expose Kathy and Ken to opera. As Kathy and her cousin performed in the children's chorus, Ken and his cousin shot spitballs at the tympani. Peggy was thrilled that both children, as adults, embraced the arts. Another of Peggy's great loves was the Dilworth United Methodist Church. She was very active serving as President of the United Methodist Women's organization, working to found the Praise and Prayer Group, and enjoying her Women's Circle. In addition, Peggy made wonderful use of her love of needlepoint. She initiated and oversaw a multi-year project that involved the design and creation of needlepoint altar cushions, pulpit chairs, and wedding kneelers for the sanctuary and chapel. These artistic treasures will keep her with us forever. Peggy will also be remembered for her warm hospitality. She never met a stranger and her beautiful home was open to everyone. She loved to entertain and was an incredible cook even though she swore that every one of her pound cakes had a sad streak and was barely fit to eat. She treated countless guests to her country-style steak, Charleston chicken and chocolate pie. Peggy was up for a gathering anytime. She could throw a dinner party together in as little as two hours as long as David was available to run to the A & P again and again. Peggy loved a good cup of coffee, her cat Tiger, the glorious music on WDAV, Estee Lauder lipstick, and "Mystery" on PBS. She was passionate about opera, antiques, and England. She was a supporter of civil rights, the arts, and having an open mind. Anyone who met her will remember her beautiful smile, her hospitality, and her Southern charm. The greatest love of Peggy's life was her family. She was happiest when we were all together. We will carry with us her gifts of acceptance, warmth, and love as she was a magnificent example of how we would like to live our own lives. She is survived by her loving sister, Billie Reed and her husband, the Reverend Ralph Reed; her daughter, Kathy Karmondy and her husband, John; her son, Ken Gelbach and his wife, Tonya; her grandchildren, Buck Rackley and his wife, Heather, Eagan Rackley and his wife Katie, Myles, and Anna Gelbach. She leaves the nieces and nephews she loved as if they were her own children: Ann, Mary, Lee, Callie, Beth, Robert, and John, as well as her precious great grandchildren Kain, Darius, Pheonix, Lucian, Eli, and Sylvia Rose. Peggy was preceded in death by her beloved husband David Kinzer Gelbach and sister Carolyn Sawvell. The Gelbach family is indebted to the extraordinary residents and staff at Asbury Care Center at Aldersgate United Methodist Retirement Community for making the past several years so pleasant for Mrs. Gelbach. Heartfelt appreciation goes to each and every caregiver, friend, and neighbor. A memorial service to celebrate Peggy?s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 27, 2009 in the chapel of Dilworth United Methodist Church, 605 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203. Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium. The family will receive friends from 10:00AM until 10:45AM Tuesday in the church fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to Dilworth United Methodist Church, 605 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203; WDAV, Box 8990, 423 North Main Street, Davidson, NC 28035 or the charity of your choice.