Peggy Henry Matthews

1921 - 2018

Peggy Henry Matthews August 1, 1921 - January 16, 2018 San Diego Born Margaret Lois Henry August 1, 1921 in St. Paul, MN to Vena and Albert Henry. She was the older sister to Ruth and Allan. (Deceased)By all reports Peggy had a normal and loving childhood in St. Paul, Minnesota, made interesting by the fact her father owned The Henry Funeral Home, which is still in existence. Peggy and Ruthie were often enlisted to assist with greeting mourners and passing out programs. Likely this was her first introduction to special events coordination and being the consummate hostess!It was a fateful accident in a chemistry lab that put Peggy on the path to her career in the fashion and special events industry. While a sophomore at Macalester College, majoring in chemistry, something went horribly wrong during a lab experiment and there was an explosion, leaving her unconscious on the floor. This caused her to rethink her career path! She transferred to the University of Minnesota and changed her major to Home Economics and Journalism, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of fashion and public relations.After graduation she spent a summer abroad studying in Mexico. This was her introduction to world travel and new cultures, and this curiosity and love of travel would stay with her throughout her life.When she returned to St. Paul she worked as a model for several Minneapolis /St. Paul department stores. She quickly came to the conclusion she would much prefer to be the fashion coordinator than the model and became the fashion coordinator for the Field Schlick Department Store. It was on a buying trip to NY that she was "discovered" by Mademoiselle Magazine and offered the job as Midwest Editor based in Chicago. She spent 17 years with the magazine traveling the Midwest doing fashion shows for stores and colleges. It was her dream job.While in Chicago she me the love of her life, Robert Meyer Matthews at a May Wine Party. He was taken with her strawberry blonde hair, blue eyes and bright engaging smile. Peggy accepted Bob's offer to drive her to her dinner engagement following the party, and when they arrived at her destination Bob said, "I'm not letting you out of the car until you tell me when I can see you again!" They married nine months later and were married for 50 years until Bob's passing. She and Bob enjoyed a busy life together in Chicago, pursuing their careers, maintaining an active social life with a lively group of friends, and raising Bob's daughter, Priscilla. In 1962 Bob said, "Life is for living, let's quit our jobs and travel around the world!" Bob quit his job, Peggy took a leave of absence from Mademoiselle, and they spent months traveling not only to the capitols of the world, but to the Middle East, Pakistan, Cambodia, Japan, Thailand and other exotic destinations. In 1972 they decided they needed a simpler life and made the move from Chicago to San Diego. Peggy made it her mission to discover San Diego and immerse herself in what it had to offer. Her start in San Diego philanthropy began with The Museum of Man, where she joined the Klee Wyck Society, working on their successful cookbook, and ultimately becoming president of Klee Wyck. She was lured back into the working world, becoming the special events coordinator for The Broadway, a job she held for over ten years. After retiring from The Broadway she jumped into the volunteer/philanthropic world with both feet, taking an active, hands on role in numerous organizations, often helping plan and execute special events, and coordinating press coverage. Her interests and involvements are too many to list, but included, the Old Globe Theater, the Salvation Army, the Salk Institute, Country Friends, San Carlos Garden Club, San Diego Fashion Group, San Diego Zoo, USO, and The San Diego Historical Society. She was a feminist before we knew the word, she kept working after she married and she championed and mentored many women she met along the way. She continued to be active with charity work until into her nineties. When the party invitations came in the mail she was the first one to rally a group of friends to attend!Peggy gave generously of her time and money, but she will be remembered most for her warmth, kindness, and friendliness to all. All who knew her will remember her broad smile and easy laugh. Everyone wanted to be counted as a friend of Peggy Matthews. She is survived by her stepdaughter, Priscilla Sloan Matthews Hanley (Walter), and nieces and nephews.A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, Feb 28, 2018 at 5:30 p.m at Hattox Hall, The Old Globe , The Conrad Prebys Theater Center, with a party to follow at The Museum of Man. In lieu of flowers Peggy would be honored to have you make a donation to one of her favorite charities.