Inger Jordhammar Peebles

Inger Jordhammar Peebles, wife, mother, psychologist, keeper of all lists and schedules, master of tennis and book clubs, and lifetime avoider of all things tech, passed away peacefully in Stockholm, Sweden, on May 13, 2025. She was laid to rest beside her late husband, Paul Peebles, in Fiskebackskil, Sweden, the village they loved, overlooking the water. And now they rest together, as it should be.

Inger was born to Agda and Martin Jordhammar, in Orebro, Sweden, where she owned the name 'Lil Inger' with pride, a nickname that belied her fierce candor and resolve. She was a star student, and a ringer on the basketball court. She and her sister Gunnel grew up together with many wonderful friends and relatives, and protected those relationships even when she decided to go to America to study and ultimately get a PhD in psychology. Boldly crossing the Atlantic at the age of 24 to continue her studies after a bachelor's degree from Uppsala University, she started in Bloomington, Indiana, but quickly relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, where she pursued her degree at Case Western Reserve University.

She met Paul Peebles at the Euclid Tavern in Cleveland Heights, and the rest, as they say, is history. They were married in 1966, and went on to spend 54 loving years together as each other's best friends and loyal advocates. After they settled in Bethesda, Maryland, Inger set her sights on building a thriving and well-regarded private practice in child psychology, helping to guide many DC area children through tough times and big transitions. Outside of work, she and Paul were known for their dinner parties, particularly their annual Glogg party at Christmas, and they both committed early on to nurturing Swedish culture in their home. Paul learned Swedish, they faithfully drove Rebecka and Gustav to Swedish school every Saturday morning despite frequent protestations, and they spent many weeks in Sweden every summer, ultimately buying a second home in Fiskebackskil, all to ensure that Inger's past and present would always be seamlessly integrated. They succeeded in instilling this legacy in their children and grandchildren, who continue to foster these connections to Sweden everyday.

Inger was diagnosed with dementia and gracefully worked with her family through all the changes that entailed, both before and after Paul's passing. In 2024, when she started to speak more Swedish than English, she bravely traveled back to Sweden with her children by her side for one last plane flight, and moved into the Stockholm Judiska Hemmet, a wonderful, caring place to spend her final years. She thrived there, and embraced Jewish traditions, and we as a family are forever grateful for the staff and residents' loving acceptance of her over her final 14 months. Inger Peebles will be forever 'saknade', or missed, by all of those she touched. We create lists and schedules, enjoy tablecloths and candles, visit Svenskt Tenn and Clinique stores, feebly attempt to match her tennis game, and continue to strive in our careers, all in both countries and languages that she loved, and all in her honor.

The family will hold a small private service in Sweden this summer, and a Zoom service to be announced at a later date. We welcome any and all remembrances, which can be posted here so that we may read and reflect on them when we celebrate her there.

A need-based scholarship fund was started in Paul's name in 2021 at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine for students without the means to attend, as Case Western generously waived his tuition fees at a crucial time for him many years ago. Inger was committed to this cause as well. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, donations in Inger's name may be directed to CWRU School of Medicine by contacting: SOMEndowments@case.edu

She is survived by her children, Rebecka and Gustav, their spouses, Todd Ridky and Amanda Pollak, her grandchildren Annika, Rex, Agnes, Magnus, and Soren. In Sweden, she leaves behind her beloved sister Gunnel, her nephew Johan, and her dear cousin Barbro and her family. On her American side, she is survived by her cherished in-laws Mary Jo, David, and Jim, and all of their children and grandchildren. We are grateful to all who touched Inger's life, and for the love you have shared with all of us through the years. Please join us in holding her in the light.