Roberta Marie Fleming

Roberta Marie Peggy Fleming of Zionsville passed away quietly in her home in the embrace of her husband and children on Monday June 16th. She was 86. Peggy was well known for her deep interest in the nursing staff and its mission at Lehigh Valley Hospital. She played a definitive role in the founding and nurturing of the Friends of Nursing Program and the Peggy Fleming Chair of Nursing was established in her honor. This Chair is the first of its kind in the nation in a non-university hospital. She also served as an active member of the Advisory Board of the Leonard Pool Society for a number of years.

Together with her husband, Peggy sponsored a series of endowment programs to support innovative activities in cancer care, pain management, Hospice programs, trauma services and in research and application of assistive technology for the disabled. In addition, her philanthropic interests extended to many other areas including shelter and rehabilitation facilities for homeless families and youths. Her interests in gardening led her to sharing generously with friends and those in need the produce of her extensive work in her vegetable and flower gardens. She loved and kept a large group of pet animals which she delighted to introduce to and share with friends, neighbors and especially children, and she faithfully supported animal rescue and shelter organizations.

Peggy's uncompromising love of her family, and the examples she set on how to live energetically and joyously, to handle adversity and to maintain an optimistic outlook, have strengthened each of them. Immediate family members who survive her include her husband of 63 years, Dick Fleming, her son, Robert Fleming of Boyertown; and her daughter, Kathleen Trinka Arnold and son-in-law, Jack Arnold of Zionsville; daughter-in-law, Linda Fleming of Exton; widow of Peggy's first son, Richard J. Rich Fleming, and sisters-in-law, Ernestine Fleming of Easton; and Evelyn Newbold of New York City; She also leaves behind many warm friends who loved her and whom she loved in return.

Peggy was born and raised in New York City. Her father died when Peggy was 10 years old and she and her older sister, Mary, were raised by their mother, Mrs. Mildred Seeber. She graduated from Our Lady of Mercy grade school and Walton High School before working for several years on Wall Street for insurance firms. Married in 1945, Peggy and her young family moved to Pennsylvania in 1950 and lived successively in Glenside, Broomall and Valley Forge before moving to Zionsville in 1976. Her natural friendliness, sweetness, uncommon common sense and personal grace endeared her to everyone she met. She had a mischievous, yet kind sense of humor, a ready smile and a kindly attitude that never changed. After a long, yet all too short life, she will be welcomed to and comfortable in the loving hands of her God.

Peggy's burial will be private. A memorial Mass celebrating her life will be held on Saturday June 28, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Thomas More Church 1040 Flexer Ave. Allentown. All wishing to participate in this farewell are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so may send contributions in Peggy's memory to Friends of Nursing at LVH Development Dept. Second Floor 1247 S. Cedar Crest Blvd. Allentown, Pa. 18103 or to LVH Hospice P.O. Box 7017 Allentown, Pa. 18105.