Margaret “Peg” Faust-Balch
With a smile and enthusiasm that lit up every classroom she entered, Peg’s passion for learning and her desire to teach gave an exuberance for education and expansive thought to all those fortunate to have been a part of her world.
She gave generously and graciously, and her innate warmth and kindness will emanate through the hearts and minds of all those she loved and all those who loved her unequivocally in return.
Margaret "Peg" (Michener) Faust-Balch, a beloved mother, wife, sister, educator, and devoted friend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on December 29, 2024. She was 77 years old.
Peg was born on August 18, 1947, and is survived by her loving husband, Matthew E. Balch, and their cherished golden retriever lab mix, and travel buddy, Misty. She was preceded in death by her mother, Eleanor G. (Kessler) Michener (d. 1998). Peg is also survived by her brother, William R. Michener; her children, Jennifer M. Faust, Jeffrey S. Faust, and Kimberly R. (Faust) Frantz; and her grandchildren, Justine E. Frantz, Madelyn J. Frantz, Abigail K. Faust, and Asher C. Faust.
A lifelong learner and dedicated educator, Peg graduated from Upper Dublin High School in 1965, where she was an avid musician and athlete, and Shippensburg University in 1969, where she was a member of the field hockey team, and some time with the tennis and basketball team. She devoted over 30 years of her career to education, and retired from Wissahickon Public Schools as a second-grade teacher in 2017.
Peg will be remembered for her unwavering love and dedication to her family, friends and the hundreds of students she worked with throughout her career. She spent her life caring for those around her and promoting happiness and well-being. Her warm heart, sense of adventure, and generous spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
The family has decided to honor Peg via a celebration of life which will take place at Christ’s Lutheran Church, 700 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Oreland, PA, 19075 on April 12, 2025. Visitation starts at 3:00pm and Service at 4:00pm. Please join us immediately after the service for refreshments in the recreation hall of the church. Instead of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in Peg’s name to her favorite charity, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary through the donation button below.
To ensure your generosity and support are acknowledged, Peg’s family has requested that memorial contributions be made through IN MEMORY OF to the
Best Friends Animal Society
Best Friends Animal Society was started in the 1980’s by a group of friends who began taking the ‘unadoptables’ from overcrowded animal shelters to a new sanctuary where they could heal. Most of these animals found their forever homes while those that didn’t, found a renewed sense of life romping throughout the sanctuary. Since then, the organization has become a regional and national movement. It owns 3,700 acres and leases another 17,000 of state and local land, allowing not only its current residents to thrive and heal, but also allow over 30,000 families to visit each year in the hopes of finding their forever pet. The organization also facilitates the Best Friends Network, bringing animal shelters and rescue groups together from across the country to hold mutual adoption events, public education campaigns, and fundraising drives, thereby saving more lives than any one facility could do in isolation.
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