Margaret K. 'Peggy' Villella, 62, of Westminster
Many of us in the community were taken aback to open the Carroll County Times Friday morning and read that Peggy Villella had passed away.
Over the years as an appointed and then an elected official I had gotten to know Peggy as the ever-cheerful and vivacious receptionist for the Carroll County Times office on Railroad Avenue in Westminster.
When I moved to the other side of the computer and began writing columns for “The Advocate,” a weekly publication of the Carroll County Times, every time I visited the office, she would, no matter how hectic the day, act as if I were the only person in the world she needed to greet and help that day.
In a Carroll County Times article which was published in the paper today, (Face of the Times remembered for her warmth,) Karen Karaszkiewicz wrote what many of us felt, that she was the “face” of the Carroll County Times. In many ways a model for what corporations and government agencies need on the front desk – such as, for example, Kay Church, the receptionist for Carroll County government in the Carroll County office building on Center Street in Westminster. (See: 20060706 KDDC Aunt Kay Birthday Cake and the Commissioners and 20060713 Happy Birthday Kay Church)
Ms. Karaszkiewicz wrote
“A woman who was known by many as the face of the Carroll County Times will be remembered by friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors for her charisma and upbeat attitude.”
[…]
“For about the past 10 years, she had worked at the front desk, spreading her cheerfulness to everyone who walked into the building, whether they were customers or coworkers, according to Lori Blake, director of administration.”
Over the years in which I got to know her, she never ever had a bad thing to say about anyone. And as Ms. Karaszkiewicz wrote, “For about the past 10 years, she had worked at the front desk, spreading her cheerfulness to everyone who walked into the building, whether they were customers or coworkers, according to Lori Blake, director of administration.”
Upon hearing the news, Carroll County commissioner Dean Minnich spoke of having gotten to know her over his past years as newspaperman and remarked that she was always so upbeat, positive and always greeted you with a big smile. “There is so much bitterness in the world and it is such a shame to lose such a sweet person.”
Carroll County Times city editor Jamie Kelly spoke for many when he said, “It’s been a shock. She was just a wonderful lady. She loved people and it showed. It will be hard to adjust to the Times without her...”
There are many such folks in Carroll County and it is people like Peggy Villella that make our community a wonderful place to live. She will be greatly missed.
Her obituary reads:
Margaret K. 'Peggy' Villella, 62, of Westminster
Margaret Kay "Peggy" Villella, 62, of Westminster died Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007, at her home.
Born July 10, 1945, in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late James E. and Charlotte Houk Freeman. She was the wife of Frank Xavier Villella Sr., her husband of 39 years.
She was a graduate of Patterson High School. She had been a receptionist and cashier for the Carroll County Times since 1992.
She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Carroll Post 31 American Legion and of the VFW Post 467, both in Westminster.
She enjoyed going on ocean cruises, weekend getaways and trips to the mountains. She liked eating crabs and collecting dolls. She also enjoyed watching scary movies and science fiction movies; her favorite was the original version of "The Thing."
Surviving, in addition to her husband, are sons Patrick and Frank X. Villella Jr., both of Westminster; a brother, James E. Freeman of Lighthouse Point, Fla.; a devoted friend, Rita Shea Schiff of Baltimore; and eight nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. John Roman Catholic Church, 43 Monroe St., Westminster, with Monsignor Arthur Valenzano officiating. Interment will be private.
The family will receive friends from noon to 3 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Pritts Funeral Home & Chapel, 412 Washington Road, Westminster.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Memorial and Tributes Processing Center, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-6536.
Villella Margaret 19450710 20070823
