EAST ORLAND – Margaret “Peggy” (Prendergast) Philbrook, beloved wife of the late Alfred L. Philbrook, passed away March 24, 2011. She was born Aug. 19, 1937, in Bayside Long Island, N.Y., to Walter B. and Anna (Hogan) Prendergast.
She graduated from St. Jean Baptiste High School, New York City, Class of 1955. She worked for Newsweek magazine for one year in the advertising department. Peggy began her civil service career at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, N.Y., as a steno clerk. There she met her future husband and they were married Dec. 2, 1956. The following year she accompanied her husband to Japan for three years. While in Japan, Peggy worked as secretary to the deputy commander of the 41st Air Division. Upon their return to the states, they settled in Maryland while Al finished college. Peggy began working at the Pentagon in the office of the administrative assistant to the secretary of the Air Force; first as secretary to the chief of research and analysis, then as secretary to the deputy administrative assistant, and from October 1964 to October 1982 was the personal assistant to the administrative assistant to the secretary of the Air Force. During this time she worked for the first four administrative assistants. In addition to normal secretarial duties, she managed the secretary of the Air Force Contingency Fund, prepared responses for the secretary of the Air Force medical designee cases, participated in the two Secretary of the Air Force Alumni Conferences from inception, including contacting all former presidential appointees, arranging programs, luncheons and dinners and all events for wives of these officials. Peggy was often in contact with staff members of the White House, U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, state department and other branches of the government and military. For her service during this time, Peggy received two Air Force Exceptional Civilian Service Awards – the highest award given to a civilian; three Meritorious Civilian Service Awards – the second highest award given to a civilian; and numerous Outstanding Performance Awards. Peggy and Al moved to Maine and bought their home in East Orland in October 1982. They loved Maine and thoroughly enjoyed the area and all the wonderful friends. Peggy was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Bucksport.
Peggy is survived by her chosen family, Eddie, Valerie, Lindsey and Austin Mason, Jane Tannihill, Phil and Alberta Whitney and Debbie and Steve Sheehan.
There will be a spring graveside service at Back Ridge Cemetery, East Orland, next to her beloved husand, Al. Donations in Peggy’s honor may be sent to SPCA of Hancock County, 141 Bar Harbor Road, Trenton, ME 04605. Arrangements are under the direction of Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, 28 Elm St., Bucksport.