Posted by Newspaper Transcriber on Saturday, October 21, 2006 at 14:50:48 :

Margaret “Peggy” Anne Irwin-Gideon

Eight-year Half Moon Bay resident Margaret “Peggy” Anne Irwin-Gideon, retired from the U.S. Air Force and California Air National Guard, died suddenly April 28 at her home. She was 50.

Ms. Irwin-Gideon was born June 30, 1955, in New York City, the third child of William H. Irwin and Patricia M. Lynch-Irwin. She attended Public School 107 and Newfield High School in Seldon, N.Y., from which she graduated in 1973.

After high school, at age 17, she enlisted in the Air Force. She served for four years at bases in Germany, Korea and around the United States.

After those four years she enrolled in college, earning an associate of science degree in physical therapy. She worked as a licensed physical therapist in Maryland, New York and California.

She returned to the Air Force to serve in the Air National Guard. In her total of 25 years with the Air Force, she served as commander 149th Combat Communications Squadron, based in Hayward, and vice-commander 162nd Combat Communications Group, at North Highland Air Force Base in Sacramento. She also earned a bachelor’s of arts degree in business management through the Air War College.

She spent 30 years in the telecommunications industry. At one point she was the regional director of Network Engineering & Construction for Sprint.

“A worthy and trusted leader in service of our country and industry, a gentle and delicate flower at heart, she was loved and admired by most of those whose lives she touched,” said her friend Matt. “Yet in the end she could not defend herself against that which took her life.”

Ms. Irwin-Gideon is preceded in death by her mother, Patricia M. Lynch-Irwin. She is survived by her son Daniel Gideon, her father William Irwin of Florida, her brother James Irwin of Massachusetts, her sisters Kathryn Malbouvier of Folsom, Calif. and Patricia Smiroldo of Florida, and nephews and nieces.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 6 at the Coastside Lutheran Church, 900 N. Cabrillo Highway in Half Moon Bay.

Half Moon Bay Review and Pescadero Pebble, Wednesday, May 3, 2006