Margaret Anne Colbert
October 9, 1939 - February 24, 2026
Margaret (Peggy) Colbert, age 86, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026 with family by her side. A loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister; she will be deeply missed. Peggy was born in Skowhegan, Maine to the parents of Charles and Evelyn Beardsley. She was the eldest daughter in a busy household with five other siblings. The family eventually moved to Indiana where she attended Oldenburg Academy Catholic School. During her adolescent years she perfected poise and grace while honing her sewing and painting talent, these skills benefited her throughout her life. After graduation she talked her father into letting her go to Robert Powers in Chicago to learn modeling. She excelled at modeling and always had an eye for exquisite design and art. She eventually moved to California and worked at Lockheed Aerospace until she received her interior designer certificate. She eventually became an interior design representative for Dunn and Edwards where she thrived and compiled an impressive list of commercial and residential clients. It was at this time that she met her true love, William (Bill) Colbert.
Bill and Peggy were married on July 19, 1980. They had a beautiful wedding and immediately became a family of four with Bill’s sons Kurtis and Chris. They built a strong foundation of love and dedication for one another. They followed Bill’s career at Baker Hughes with stops at Utah, Arizona and Texas. Peggy had a mission to get involved with each community and made tremendous positive impact. She became a volunteer police officer in Arizona and received many accolades for her dedication in assisting the family crisis center in Texas. They made great lifelong friendships everywhere they lived and truly loved their neighbors as family. Peggy was successful in life in so many ways. She was truly multi-talented! She was active all throughout her life. She loved ice skating, skiing and tennis; as well as competing in tri-Athlons well into retirement. She also enjoyed fishing with the “gals” while competing in the Red Fish Rodeo. They won the tournament a few times. She was also a very accomplished painter and sold many prints. She loved animals and dearly misses her cats Brandy and Benny!
Peggy suffered from a long-term illness, but was determined to live her life surrounded by family and friends. It was an inspiration to see her fight the disease daily without letting it define her. Most would not have known that she was sick. She extended daily appreciation for the care that she received from her devoted sisters Susie and Nancy; and daughter in-law, Carrie. We cannot thank them enough!
She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Bill Colbert; her two step-sons, Kurtis Colbert (Maggie), Chris Colbert (Carrie), grandchildren Eric, Katie and Alexandra; Sisters Nancy Warren, Ann Martin, and Susie Hardy and sister-in-law Marjory Beardsley-Gardner, brother-in-law Steve; nieces and nephews Terrie, Tom, Christina and Kelie, Steve, Carol, Jessica, Aaron, Joshua and Travis. She is preceded in death by her parents Charles and Evelyn Beardsley, brother Ted, sister Mary, nephew Ted Jr., Benjamin and Brother-in-law Vern and Jerry.
Peggy will be laid to rest in a private ceremony on April 10, 2026 at Cherokee Memorial Cemetery at 11:30 am followed by a Celebration of Life at Woodbridge Country Club.
She will be dearly missed by her family as well as all who knew and loved her. She was passionate about children, animals and the military. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a local crisis center, shelter and/or veterans foundation in her memory.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Colbert family.
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