Margaret Ann “Peggy” Roski – (96) – formerly of 301 West 45th St., New York City, died early Monday morning (April 3, 2017) at Updyke’s Nursing Facility in Hornell, where she had resided for the past 4 ½ years.
Born in Hornell on July 25, 1920, and was the daughter of Stanley & Genevieve (Simchick) Roski.
Peggy grew up in Hornell and, as a young girl, was a member of Girl Scouts of America and also Camp Fire Girls. She was a graduate of St. Ann’s School and later graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1938). Peggy enjoyed acting in high school and landed the leading female role of her senior play, “Seventeen” by Booth Tarkington. Following high school, she enrolled in the former Feagin School of Dramatic Art in Rockefeller Center in New York City, graduating with a two year degree.
Throughout the years, Peggy held numerous jobs including working in Theater in many capacities, including actress, usher and later as theater treasurer (box office). She worked as an actress and traveled with many “Road Companies” including Clare Tree Major (Children’s Theater of New York). She served as “Dramatic Counselor” at Summer Camp and as an actress with Summer Stock Theaters. Peg was also involved with the Experimental Playhouse of the Air (Vanguard Theater) and also volunteered at the Stage Door Canteen (USO) during WWII. In addition to her acting and theater career, Peggy worked as a sales clerk in many NYC stores, including Macys, Abercrombie & Fitch and the former Sterns Store.
Peggy was truly a “world traveler”, having traveled the globe visiting countries such as Russia, China, Japan, Israel, Indonesia, Switzerland, Germany, Africa, Australia, Cuba, South America, just to name a few. She returned to Hornell about 11 years ago.
While in New York City, she was a communicant of both Holy Cross Church and St Malachi’s Church & Actors Chapel. In Hornell, Peggy was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and had been a communicant of the former St. Ignatius Loyola Church and more recently St. Ann’s Church.
Surviving are her sister, Rose Conklin of Hornell; 3 nephews, Dennis (Margaret) Conklin, Kevin (Jean) Conklin and Patrick (Joanne) Conklin; 1 niece, Gail Conklin; many great nieces & great nephews.
The family of Margaret Ann “Peggy” Roski will receive friends on Saturday from 11:00 AM until 12:30 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 PM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Ann’s Cemetery.
Peggy’s family request that memorial contributions in her name be made to St. Ann’s Academy, PO Box 446, Hornell, NY 14843. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home or click here to print a memorial form.