Margaret Sheila Wheland

Margaret (Peggy) Wheland, formerly of Carlsbad California, passed away on June 5, 2024. Peggy was born in Colchester, England, to Albert and Edith Martin, with sisters Doris, Joyce, Beryl, and Jean. During WWII, the family relocated to the village of St. Ives, Cambridgeshire, and “the Martin girls” enjoyed a peaceful childhood.

When Peggy was a teenager the family moved to California, and Peggy and her sisters quickly adapted to sunny Los Angeles, particularly enjoying the beach, the sun, their own pool, and in Peggy’s case, the Mexican food. She found work in the offices of Forest Lawn Glendale, where she met a young man named Tom Wheland. Tom took her on dates at Disneyland, Dodger games, and her two favorite restaurants, Bobs Big Boy and Steak & Stein.

They married at the Wee Kirk O’ the Heather chapel in Forest Lawn, and had two daughters, Lisa and Lesley. The family moved to Orange County, where Peggy worked as a Teacher’s Aide in an elementary school, a position she kept for nearly 20 years.

Peggy’s hobbies included reading English village murder mysteries, working crossword puzzles, strolling through the mall to window shop with a mocha in hand, walks in the local oceanfront towns, and the occasional glass of champagne (Tom always kept it stocked up for her).

Peggy and Tom loved traveling and took many trips nationally and internationally with family. She was always eager for a driving trip to Northern California or Washington to visit her sisters. Peggy remained very close with her sisters and brothers-in-law throughout her life, and anytime the Martin girls were together, there was sure to be lots of laughter and a knees-up.

Per her request, her ashes will be scattered at sea, off the coast of San Diego.