Santa Fe resident Margaret "Peggy" Prince has moved on to her life in Spirit.
She passed on at midnight Friday morning (Sept. 2), after a lengthy illness.
She was born just after WWII in Munich, Germany to William R Prince and Margaret Evans Prince. Theirs was a long-time northern New Mexico family with military and government roots. She and her sister Mary "Bambi," grew up in various locations around the world and thus began a building global awareness. She was a 1965 graduate of Santa Fe High School, and in 1986 received a B.A. from College of Santa Fe in math/physics. She was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega fraternity for women.
Peggy was an extraordinary woman, a real embodiment of "the City Different." She never hesitated to follow the call of her conscience and it was this quality in her that touched many lives. Through the years she was a community member and friend to many in Santa Fe: as a bold "tiger mom" to Rebecca, Brian and Adrienne, a meditation devotee with Siddha Yoga, a bartender in downtown Santa Fe, and later, as an outspoken environmental activist with Greenpeace and Peace Action New Mexico. Locals will recognize her as a friendly face often seen on Friday lunch hours at Cerrillos & St. Francis, holding signs protesting US wars of aggression and demanding an end to nuclear weapons.
During the 1990's, she reached appx 500,000 youth in the Los Angeles schools with her Greenpeace-sponsored multimedia message on protecting our oceans.
During the 1990's, she reached appx 500,000 youth in the Los Angeles schools with her Greenpeace-sponsored multimedia message on protecting our oceans.
In coordinating events, she worked in the background, but when it came to public action, she was out front.
Her latest work was as a nuclear watch team member. As Executive Director of Peace Action New Mexico, she organized and led large and historic demonstrations against the wars and the nuclear industry in Santa Fe and Los Alamos. She was arrested on several occasions during nonviolent actions, especially at the Nevada Nuclear Test Site. She also brought notable speakers to her town, including Amy Goodman, Arundhati Roy, Cynthia McKinney, Martin Sheen, David Barsamian and Dr. Helen Caldicott, with whom she became close friends. (Co-Madres!) She was an incredibly hard-working organizer and her colleagues in the peace movement extend their admiration and thanks.
During her passing, and from hearing the stories of her friends, it has become completely clear that friendship and affection are the real importance of life. So give someone a hug today! And thank you for all the principled stands and inspired risks that YOU take in your life.
"Well-behaved women rarely make history." - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
An intimate memorial was held on Sunday, Sept. 4 at her home. Donations to further her peace work can be sent to Beryl Schwartz of Peace Action New Mexico 7545 NDCBU Taos, NM 87571
She is survived by a vibrant community of family, friends and colleagues, who tenderly recognize that her legacy is active and living.
“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way.
On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”
~Arundhati Roy
