Maria Michele Ricigliano was born on March 24, 1919, the sixth of seven children. Her parents, Antonio Ricigliano and Maria Donata Palma were born in San Fele, Italy and emigrated to America at the turn of the century. As a young girl, she was registered in school as Margaret and was called Maggie by her classmates. She preferred Peggy and, from that time forward, was called Peggy by family and friends. Her late husband, Frank Burr Schaaf grew up just around the corner from Peg’s family. Peg and Frank were married on September 7, 1940, a day after Frank’s 21st birthday. During WWII, Frank served with the US Navy. Peg was an excellent seamstress, often making clothes for herself and her daughters. Throughout her life, she was the “go to” person for buttons, hems, and all sorts of alterations for many in the family. She continued doing this well into her 90’s. She was also an excellent cook who served up Frank’s favorite German recipes, as well as, traditional Italian dishes. She made ravioli from scratch and taught the following generations how to prepare that and some of their favorite recipes, as well. The sweet bread that she baked for the holidays was another family favorite. Her sewing skills led to a number of jobs in her early years. During WWII, she sewed tents and duffle bags. Her final job was at Atlantic Products where she made golf bags and luggage. In recent years, she could always be found sitting in her chair near the front door reading a new book from the library or working on crossword puzzles. If she wasn’t there, you could find her in her “puzzle room” working on a jigsaw puzzle. Peg was preceded in death by her parents Antonio and Maria, her loving husband Frank, her brothers Tony, Don and Fran, and her sisters Lucy, Kitty and Jenny. She is survived by her daughters JoAnn Kontura (Ron, deceased) and Linda (Pete) Graziano, her sons Frank (Patricia Duffy) Schaaf and Robert (Nancy Wilson) Schaaf, seven grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Peg was a charter member of the Rusling Hose Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary and regularly attended the Golden Nuggets Seniors at White Horse Fire Co. She was an active member of St. Vincent de Paul Seniors until she was 100. She was also a member of the San Felese Society. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. Raphael’s Church, 3500 S. Broad St., Hamilton, NJ. Interment will follow at Colonial Memorial Park, 3039 S. Broad St., Hamilton, NJ. Relatives and friends may visit on Thursday from 8:30 to 10 AM at Kingston & Kemp Funeral Home, 260 White Horse Ave., Hamilton, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to a charity of the donor’s choice.