Margaret “Peggs” Edwards Francis, 92, of Marion, MA, passed away peacefully in her own home, surrounded by family, on March 6, 2020.
She was born on July 29, 1927 in Douglaston, NY to Charles Edwards Jr. and Margaret (Mills) Edwards. She attended Manhasset High School and graduated from Wheelock College (Class of 1949) with a degree in Childhood Education which remained a passion throughout her life.
The treasured matriarch of an extended family, she is survived by her four daughters, Susan Putnam (and husband Fred) of Boston, Tappan Titherington of Marion, Tina Stone of Westport, and Maggie Cook (and husband Don) of Plymouth, as well as eight grandchildren (Todd, Maggie, Seth, Laura, Tim, Hadley, Joshua and Katrina), many nieces and nephews, and George Moffat, her partner of more than 20 years.
Peggs was a first-rate skipper and a contributing member of the Beverly Yacht Club for 70 years. She hosted innumerable visiting Regatta sailors, shepherded her daughters through racing programs, volunteered on many committees, and in 2006, with her partner George Moffat, won the Herroshoff Nationals in their shared H-12, Swan Song.
A woman of character, she championed the causes she was passionate about. As a pioneer in education, a dedicated community volunteer, and a humanitarian, her life was devoted to advocating for others by building platforms for those in need. She enjoyed nature, gardening, cooking, entertaining, and to be surrounded by family and friends.
Peggs was a firm believer in the slogan, “If you want it done right, do it yourself.” She was Chairman of the Marion School Committee, spear-headed the first K-12 alternative educational program in Massachusetts (Bent Twig School), served as Treasurer of the Sippican School Building Committee, and was President of the local Visiting Nurse Association pioneering the first “Well Child Clinic” in Massachusetts which provided vaccinations as well as free newborn and child visits. She led the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Massachusetts, was Secretary of the Sippican Tennis Club, and Chairman of the BYC house committee. Peggs was a planner and an organizer, known for promoting the visionary ideas she believed in and for supporting others whose efforts she applauded.
Later in life, Peggs recreated herself as a travel agent, personalizing exotic trips for her clients. A dedicated board member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), she was designated “grande dame” of the group on many international adventures.
Peggs loved sharing stories of adventures and showcasing her expansive collection of elephant artwork acquired in her travels. As a grandmother, she chose to be called, “Jum”, in honor of the Indian Jumbo Elephant she admired. Her Converse Point home of 65 years was command central for holiday gatherings. A dining table effortlessly set for twenty, colorful linen tablecloths, arrangements of wildflowers picked from the back yard, seating according to homemade place cards, meals one might expect on the QE II, and endless laughter.
The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the caretakers from Care With Love Inc. of New Bedford and to the Community Nurse Home Care Hospice Team of Fairhaven for their unified professionalism and compassion working as a team caring for our “Jum”.
A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held at the Beverly Yacht Club (BYC) in Marion, MA on June 6, 2020 at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Community Nurse Home Care of Fairhaven or to the “Peggs Francis Young Skipper Scholarship”, which will pave the way each summer for a non-member to learn to sail in the BYC Junior Sailing Program. Community Nurse Home Care, (list Peggs Francis in memo), 62 Center St., Fairhaven, MA 02719 (donate@communitynurse.com) or Peggs Francis Young Skipper Scholarship, checks to: Beverly Yacht Club, P.O. Box 181, Marion, MA 02738.
Arrangements are by the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham, MA. For directions and online guestbook, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.
