Margaret L. Dugdale (Peggy), age 75, of Wilmington, DE, and St. Andrews Club, Delray Beach, FL, died at her home in Delaware on September 16, 2018 after a short illness. Peggy, a native of Wilmington, attended Tower Hill School and graduated from Westover School in Middlebury, CT. She graduated from Smith College and moved to New York City where she worked for the Ford Foundation. Later she moved to Washington, D.C., where she was a researcher for the National Geographic magazine.
In the 1970’s, Peggy moved to San Francisco. When asked to name her most rewarding job, she was quick to say it was her years working for Planned Parenthood. In the early 1980’s HIV/AIDS was first being diagnosed in San Francisco. Peggy was asked to develop the protocol her clinic used to diagnose and support clients with this then new disease.
In 1983, she obtained a Masters Degree in Journalism from the University of California, Berkeley. At graduation, she received the School of Journalism’s most prestigious award for her thesis, which exposed construction issues at the Diablo Canyon (nuclear) Power Plant. Her thesis advisor was Dr. Ben Bagdikian who had previously worked at the Washington Post during the Watergate years. After a time writing for San Francisco Magazine, Peggy confessed that she really did not enjoy writing and retired from journalism.
Peggy was adored by three generations of her family as well as by countless friends, many of whom joined her for golf and bridge games in Wilmington and Florida. She is survived by her twin brother, Glen Dugdale (Joan); her brother, Bill Dugdale (Priscilla) and sister, Ann Wick (Calhoun); ten nieces and nephews: Peg Laird (Phil Taylor); Bill Dugdale (Sydney van Dyke); Alletta Tate (Bill); Devon Hathaway (Timothy); Patricia Christias (Takis); Irene Jennings (Elliott); Warren Wick (Anna); Bo LaMotte (Beth); Michael LaMotte (Wendy); Hilary Burke (Ned); and twenty-three great-nieces and -nephews who adored their “Aunt Mig.” There is a hole in our family that can never be filled.
Her final weeks were made comfortable thanks to her exceptional caregivers: Nina, Lacey, April, Grace, Joanne and Amy.
In keeping with her wishes she will be buried in Wilmington at a private interment. Friends are invited to join her family at the Vicmead Hunt Club at noon on Saturday, September 22, 2018, to celebrate her life.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory, and in appreciation for her treatment and care, may be made to SHINE, Chester County Hospital, 701 East Marshall Street, West Chester PA 19380, or to Delaware Hospice, 16 Polly Drummond Shopping Center, Newark DE 19711.
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