Dr. Margaret "Peggy" Elder

Dr. Margaret (Peggy) ELDER Margaret May "Peggy" Elder died Monday, July 19, 2010, in Seattle, Wash., after a life full of accomplishments, the last three years of which were complicated by pancreatic cancer. She was 71 years old. Peggy was born May 16, 1939, to Alexander and Dorothy Elder in Los Angeles, California, where she graduated from Franklin High School in 1957. She attended Glendale Community College and Los Angeles City College before transferring to Seattle Pacific College in 1958. She graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Sociology. Later at the University of Washington, Peggy served as an adviser to students at Haggett residence hall, and then co-resident director, and earned her Master's Degree in Education in December 1966. She went on to Washington State University, earning her Doctorate in Education in 1972. By 1973, Peggy was at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, N.M., where she became an assistant vice president and then vice president of student affairs in 1974. She remained at NMSU until 1989. During 15 years, she led and supported students and university peers to create groundbreaking programs and networks serving students, distinguished by services for women, gay and lesbian students. More than once her efforts resulted in the first organizations of their kind in the state. She was nationally recognized among student personnel administrators. Peggy's reach extended beyond the campus boundaries, as she served on the Planned Parenthood board for Dona Ana County, N.M., and after moving to Seattle was a board member and officer for nearly two decades for Seattle affiliates of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Peggy supported opera and chamber music, as a patron as well as a board member. She was a board member of Seattle's City Music between 2000 and 2005, melding music with philanthropy as ticket sales contributed to Seattle-area charities. From 1991 until her retirement 16 years later, Peggy served chocolates and was a friend to many employees at the See's Candies store in downtown Seattle. Peggy was vivacious and outspoken, and she is missed by friends, former colleagues and students she influenced over several generations, from East to West Coast and in between. Her closest and most constant friend, Michael Callahan of Kirkland, Wash., is joined by many in remembering her generosity and laughter, which won't be forgotten, nor will her memory - or method of applying lipstick - go uncelebrated. An event celebrating Peggy's life will be held later this summer. In lieu of flowers, Peggy's friends ask that donations be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Planned Parenthood or Lifelong AIDS Alliance.