Margaret "Peggy" Gainey, nee Shumaker, 67, of St. Leonard, MD passed away on August 7, 2009 at her residence, one day after her 49th wedding anniversary, Peggy Gainey died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. Diagnosed with cancer our "tough girl" fought the fight for five years.

Born in Washington D.C., Peggy was raised in Riverdale Maryland. She attended St. Jerome's Elementary School in Hyattsville and St. Anthony's high School in Washington, D.C. graduating in 1959. She met husband Jerry on a blind date and they were married August 6, 1960.

Thirty live years ago, Peggy and Jerry opened a seafood restaurant in Seabrook Maryland. Operating on a shoe string the restaurant was manned by their, then, young children Jerry Jr., Eileen and little Debbie. Debbie was so small she would stand on a box in order to turn the crab cakes cooking on the stove top. Nephew Lloyd was their 8 year old dishwasher!

Peggy, Jerry and the kids took turns cooking, waiting and bussing tables and playing hostess. Peggy worked tirelessly beside Jerry on a 24/7 schedule. There was no job too beneath her. Her employees would look at her work ethic and follow her example. The restaurant found its notoriety when it was discovered by Phyllis Richman, then the food critic for the Washington Post.

Eight years ago Jerry and Peggy moved to St. Leonard and in January 2007, opened "Jerry's Place" another seafood restaurant in Prince Frederick, MD. Once again the restaurant is manned by their children but now it also employs their grandchildren as well as an assortment of nieces, nephews, cousins and some extended family!

The Gainey clan are folks who love a good meal. As an example most every telephone conversation between its members begins with, "What are you having for dinner?" Peggy was a phenomenal cook and her brood has followed in her footsteps. Recipes are constantly being exchanged or tweaked or made up. No matter the topic, every conversation will eventually end up with a discussion of food.

Peggy loved her Washington Redskins, her little dogs Max and Gracie and her books. "Casablanca" was her all time favorite movie with 'Some Like It Hot" a close second.

Peggy was born on November 2, 1941 in Washington, D.C. to the late Francis X. and Marion Shumaker. She was preceded in death by her sister Maureen Frances "Bitsy" Shumaker.

Peggy is survived by her devoted husband Jerome "Jerry" Philip Gainey, Sr.; loving mother of Jerome Philip Gainey, Jr. of St. Leonard, MD.; Eileen Gainey Ricker and her husband Patrick of Stevensville, MD. and Deborah Gainey Nelson and her husband Aaron of Bowie, MD.; sisters of Mary Louise "Bunny" Marsico and her husband Eric of Port Republic, MD; aunt of Lloyd Francis Khan of St. Leonard, MD; beloved grandmother of Eileen Ricker Granzow and her husband Bernie of Bowie, MD.; Lauren Ricker Coe and her husband Steve of Stevensville, MD.; Patrick Quinn Ricker, Jr. of Stevensville, MD.; Brandon Troy Rice of Springfield, MO.; Dominic Andrew Gonzalez of Bowie, MD. and Kristyn Morgan Nelson of Bowie, MD.; great grandmother of Bernie Joseph Granzow, Kevin Fulton Coe and John "Jack" Louis Granzow.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 10:00 AM at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 470 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678 with the Reverend Peter Daly officiating. Should friends desire memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Calvert Hospice, P. O. Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Donations are encouraged on-line at www.calverthospice.org.

Arrangements by the Rausch Funeral Home, Port Republic, MD.