Peggy Reimer, possibly the longest-ever tenured resident at the Aged Woman’s Home, passed away at age 92 on Tuesday, September 17, after a brief illness.
Peggy first came to the Home in August of 1993. Born in January 1932, Peggy’s formative years were war years, spent in Nazi-occupied Belgium. Peggy said of those years, “Food was scarce, and my siblings and I hid in the woods and trees to hide from the Nazis. It was terrible.”
After the war, as a young woman, Peggy emigrated to California, where she married and had a daughter. Eventually, after living in various places, including Hawaii (her favorite), she settled on N Street in Georgetown, just a short distance from the Home.
Peggy had many interests, including art, literature, and global affairs. She worked in various areas of the nursing profession. Well into her 80s, through a DC senior work program, Peggy was a companion-aide for an elderly woman of 98.
Peggy loved dogs and spoke often and affectionately of her past pets, always saying her heart melted whenever a dog visited the Home. Peggy was an avid exerciser. Yoga, old-fashioned calisthenics, and very brisk walking were hallmarks of her daily regimen. She kept a strict vegetarian diet, with no sugar except for on very special occasions. She liked to say, “Aging is a very special occasion.”
Peggy often told Staff of the great virtues of being a “label reader” and of “knowing your percentages.” She drove everyone —Staff included—a bit crazy with her penchant for hospital-level cleaning in the Home’s shared bathrooms, finally admitting, “I just cannot help it,” and agreeing to take the cleaning down a notch for the sake of the allergy sufferers.
In her younger years, Peggy loved to garden and often helped with weeding and watering in the Home’s garden, especially during the hot months of July and August. She was often thought to be overheard speaking French to the pond goldfish —her “friends” as she called them and was very unhappy when the neighbor’s giant Maine Coon cat took to lying stretched out on the brick walls of the goldfish pond.
Peggy was always watchful of 1255 Wisconsin Avenue, a place she called Home for over 31 years. It was a special place for her, one that she never wanted to leave. The Staff and the other Guests at the Home will sorely miss her attentiveness, sharp mind, and energy. Her ashes will be spread by her daughter in her beloved Hawaii.