CLEARLAKE ? The flag at Clearlake City Hall is at half-staff in honor of former Councilmember Peggy Smith, who died on Dec. 17 at St. Helena Hospital in Napa Valley. Smith represented the citizens of Clearlake from 2002 to 2006.
Smith will be remembered for her contributions to the community as well as for her courage and strength in battling the pulmonary disease to which she ultimately succumbed.
“All she wanted was what was good for the people and she tried to make this place a better place to live for all the residents of Clearlake and Lake County. That was her primary concern,” her husband William “Smitty” Smith said. “She was ready to go to battle for anything that was hindering the progress of Clearlake and she supported anything that was beneficial to community. She was one great woman that came into this town to help.”
Fellow councilmember Judy Thein said Smith”s strength and determination were inspirational. “Throughout her long illness, Peggy showed us that hope can bring forward each new day,” Thein said. “She left her legacy in the hearts of Clearlake as she taught us all how to persevere regardless of difficulties. She was a colleague who always wanted what was best for our city. I will remember Peggy for her strength, her courage and her gracious heart.”
Smith, who was born in Seattle Washington to Mary and Eugene Gillen in 1943, lived in Clearlake for the final 10 years of her life. She served on the Clearlake City Council for four years. In departing the council in 2006, she had said, “Most of all what I want to say is I want to thank the citizens of this community for all the trust they”ve had in me for the past four years. I hope that I”ve done at least part of what you had liked me to have done when you elected me.”
Councilmember Joyce Overton, who also served alongside Smith, said she will hold Smith”s memory with admiration. “I admired Peggy for her diligence, her compassion for the community and her spirit for life and I will greatly miss her,” Overton said. “She had this energy of hers. She was determined to make Clearlake a better place to live; it was something she was striving for. She was trying to make a difference throughout her term and that”s really what kept her going.”
Overton continued, “I think one of her main things when she was running, she was actually the one that started the senior path way. That was her project and I”m really glad we were able to complete it before she passed.”
According to her husband, there was one project dear to her heart that was left unfinished. “The one battle she never did overcome was with Golden State Water. She wanted to get the prices down for the people. She went to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the governor, Congressman Mike Thompson; she went all over the place for it and that”s why she got on the city council,” Smith said. “Basically, her health kept her from getting petitions signed but anyone who wants to continue her effort is welcome to the paperwork that she collected over the years.”
When Smith”s service on the council ended after one term, her concern for the community had continued. “She kept in touch with Bill Shields and they talked about the problems the city was having. She was always concerned,” Smith”s niece Ginger Lizman said. “Just because she was no longer on the council didn”t mean she stopped thinking about the people or the problems of Clearlake. She still had their best interests at heart.”
Lizman said she will always remember her aunt for the enthusiasm she had for life and the consideration she had for others. “That woman was always on the go and for a short, little lady, she always had spunk,” Lizman said. “If she didn”t have 10 items in the pot, she wasn”t our aunt. She was always thinking about other people and I think that”s why she enjoyed being a council person for this city.”
According to her family, Smith truly appreciated the beauty of Lake County and spent her final days enjoying a view of the lake from her living room window. Lizman said her aunt was in happy and light-spirited at the time of her passing and had sought comfort and acceptance heading into the next life.
Smith is survived by her husband of 30 years, William R. Smith; children Teddy Eugene Vurn, Wade R. Smith, Danny Vurn, Vernon W. Smith, Lester Paul Vurn, Eddy Dewaine Vurn, Donny Vurn, Kimberly Rose Hines; 25 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Margaret “Peggy” Jean Smith was 65-years-old when she passed. A memorial service is being planned for the coming spring.
Anyone wishing to continue Smith”s legacy and invest their time in the issues she felt so strongly about, is welcome to call William Smith at 994-3848.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
