Obituary of Margaret Peggy McKenna

Peggy peacefully passed surrounded by family and friends in her house and gardens. Born near Philadelphia to Eileen and James McKenna, as a child, she was more interested in bugs than sewing and developed a lifelong love of nature. A unique, indomitable and independent spirit, evident in childhood Catholic school, Marymount College, and the Cororan Institute, developed into a strong commitment, fueled by fierce determination, to whatever she undertook in life. Excelling as a strong athlete, avid equestrian, professional photographer, gardener, community volunteer and organizer, Peggy is most noted for her generosity of spirit, commitment to people, humor, and creativity. Moving to Maine in 1970 and settling in Montville, she built a house and nurtured her spectacular gardens for more than four decades. A professional photographer with a focus on the subjective aspect of life, she worked freelance in Maine and New York, for Down East magazine, and at the Waldo Independent and Republican Journal newspapers. Her photos captured the essence of and endeared her to the heart of many a subject. At the papers for 13 years, Peggy photographed thousands of people at schools, work, leisure and life. Determined to get the photo, sacrifices included having a shot of rum with ice fishermen on Quantibacook Lake. Many of these photo subjects became lifelong friends. Still undefeated as the leg wrestling champion of Waldo County, political correctness and punctuality were not strong suits. A lover of cooking, flowers, birds, and all things natural, she was a staunch liberal who charmed the heart of a conservative bearer of raspberries. Peggy enriched our lives, taught us to love, and we are lucky to have loved her. Although cancer took her in the end, Peggy thrashed it soundly during the fight. She had true grit. Peggy is survived by her husband Doug Thomas of Montville, her sister Elizabeth Soisson of Jackson, nephew Mark and niece Violet, a brother James in Italy, and special friends Vicki, Yasuyo, Moe, PeggyA, Wendy, Michelle, Amy, Micaela and too may more to mention. Her wishes to all are to eat organic and healthy, love deeply, laugh often, and live the life you have to its fullest extent. A celebration of her life will be held in late July with details announced later. Celebration of Peggy's life will be announced at a later date.