Margaret "Peggy" Louise Galehouse

Margaret Louise Galehouse (nee Merle)

Peggy Galehouse, 67, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Monday, October 19, 2026 after a short battle with acute myeloid leukemia at UH Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The family is grateful for the extraordinary care she received there, and Peggy fought until the very end.

Peggy was born on January 31, 1959 in Akron, Ohio to Michael and Louise Merle. She grew up in Firestone Park, attending St. Paul Catholic School and graduating in 1977 from Hoban High School. Peggy attended the University of Akron and the Idabelle Firestone School of Nursing. She began her long career as a nurse at Akron City Hospital working first for three years on the oncology floor and then finding her calling working twenty years in the PACU (Recovery Room) and then another twenty years at the Crystal Clinic Orthopedic Center’s PACU. Nursing was far more than a profession to her; it was her calling and her passion. She cared for thousands of patients, touching countless lives with her extraordinary compassion, kindness, and unwavering dedication. Her exceptional skill and commitment to her profession earned her numerous awards for her outstanding patient care. She also honored her father by taking care of him while he suffered from lymphoma for ten years, and cared for her mother for another five years in her final days.

Above all, Peggy’s greatest happiness came from her family. Peggy was married to the love of her life, Dr. Rob Galehouse, for 35 years. She treasured him and her beloved son, David. They loved spending time on Hilton Head Island – taking long walks on the beach and riding bikes around the island. Skiing at Holiday Valley, and attending Ohio State games in Columbus with Rob and David were favorite activities. Most of all she loved her home and gardening in her beautiful flower garden. She also adored her three black Labrador Retrievers Fonzie, Cooper, and Bentley, who brought her so much happiness and companionship. She filled her life with joy, family, and friends, and everyone who knew her loved her.

Preceded in death by her parents, Michael S. and Louise S. Merle, Peggy is survived by her beloved husband Rob and cherished son David. She leaves behind her dear siblings Michael J. Merle (Judi), Mary Basford (Douglas), Dr. Thomas Merle (Laura), James Merle (Regina), Christine Kolva (Theodore); Joseph Merle; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Friday, October 23 from 4 – 7 pm at Billows Fairlawn Funeral Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd, Akron, OH 44333. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 24 at 11 am at St. Paul Catholic Church, 1580 Brown Street, Akron, OH. Burial will take place at Moore’s Chapel Cemetery, Bath, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Blood Cancer United (bloodcancerunited.org).

She was beloved by all who knew her, beautiful inside and out, and her loss is immeasurable. We will treasure our memories of her forever.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, 85 N. Miller Road, Akron, OH 44333 (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)