Margaret Smith Rider

Margaret Smith Rider succumbed to Alzheimers disease at the Hospice House of the Chesapeake in Harwood, MD, on January 8, 2008. She was 85 years old. Margaret Rider, affectionately known as “Peg,” was born October 8, 1922, to Judge Frank and Hallie Smith. She grew up in Orlando, FL, with four brothers, Frank Jr,, Ley, Dave, and Dan, and one sister, Jane. Immediately upon graduation from Florida State University, she interned at Cooke County Hospital in Chicago to become a registered dietician. Upon certification, she was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Army Medical Corps and was transferred overseas to the China-India-Burma Theater of War. There she met the love of her life, Captain Osborne Lawrence Rider, Jr., an Air Force pilot. Peg’s powerful personality and gracious soul captured Osborne’s heart, and he was instantly smitten by this petite beauty. He won her heart and when they returned to Maryland, they married on the March 13, 1946. They settled down to raise a fine family of three daughters and four sons, Patrick (deceased), Holly, Frank, Larry, Robert, Susie, and Marian. Osborne and Peg shared many adventures with their seven children and later 19 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They loved to travel and always enjoyed sailing the great Chesapeake Bay in their sailboat, “The Margarita.” Osborne and Peg retired back to Orlando, FL, in 1986. They continued to live life to the fullest along with their beloved dog, Peppi. After many very happy years in Orlando, Osborne passed away in November of 1995. As Osborne would have wanted it, Peg bravely carried on the couple’s passion for life and took up ball-room dancing. Over the years, she won numerous trophies and plaques to commemorate the wonderful times she had and the hard work she put into the art. In addition to dancing, Peg enjoyed doing needle work, playing bridge, swimming, traveling, and visiting her sons and daughters and their families. She excelled in all her activities and continued to impact everyone she met with her infectious zest for life and loving heart. She will be sorely missed by all the lives she touched. Peg is survived by her three daughters, Holly Emmerich, Sue McLean, and Marian Dubiel; three sons, Frank Rider, Lawrence Rider, and Robert Rider; three brothers, Dave Smith, Dan Smith, and Lee Smith; 19 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband, Osborne Rider; her son, Patrick Rider; grandson, Daniel Smith; her sister, Jane; and brother, Frank Jr. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 10, 2008, at 11 a.m. at the Christ Episcopal Church, 830 Romancoke Road, Stevensville, MD 21666. Friends and family may call on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P. A., 106 Shamrock Road in Chester from 6 to 8 p.m. Interment will follow at the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery.