In Memoriam: Peggy Carrell
Longtime Executive Director, Rotary Club of Omaha
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Peggy Carrell, longtime Executive Director of the Rotary Club of Omaha, who passed away on September 29, 2026, at the age of 78.
For more than a decade, Peggy was the steady hand behind our club. Longtime members remember her for her accuracy, her good sense of humor, her professionalism, and, above all, the way she took care of Rotarians. Details rarely slipped past Peggy, and neither did people. She understood that Rotary was ultimately about relationships, service, and bringing people together. Much of what our club is today was shaped by her care, dedication, and years of faithful service.
Past President Tom Gouttierre remembers Peggy as an essential partner during his year as club president:
“I loved being President of the Rotary Club of Omaha. The reason I was able to love that job was Peggy! As club Executive Secretary, Peggy was a super, thoughtful, professional, and engaging partner. I was President, but it was Peggy who made it work for me and many others. Peggy was a dear friend and fellow Rotarian!”
Past President John Mock remembers Peggy’s influence in another important way. It was Peggy who encouraged him to become more engaged and active in Rotary. His experience speaks to a gift Peggy possessed throughout her years with the club: she did not simply administer Rotary. She drew people into it. She recognized their potential, encouraged their involvement, and helped them find a place to serve.
That legacy can be seen in the Rotarians she supported, the leaders she helped succeed, and the countless details she quietly handled so that others could focus on service. Club presidents came and went, boards changed, and projects evolved, but Peggy provided continuity and institutional knowledge through it all.
Peggy was also the beloved wife of Past District Governor Roger Carrell, with whom she shared 57 years of marriage. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. To her family, she was the heart of their home, creating traditions, gathering loved ones together, and building a legacy that extended far beyond Rotary.
As we remember Peggy, we celebrate more than her years of service. We remember a friend, a fellow Rotarian, a trusted colleague, and a woman whose quiet influence helped shape generations of Rotary leadership.
Please keep Roger and the entire Carrell family in your thoughts during this difficult time.
Peggy served Rotary by taking care of its people. Her work mattered. Her friendships mattered. And her legacy will remain part of the Rotary Club of Omaha for years to come.