BROOKSVILLE – Margaret “Peg” Mary Downing, 63, died Saturday, March 9, 2013, at home in Brooksville. Peg passed just 23 days after the first symptoms prompted a visit to the doctor. She died of eye cancer that spread to the liver. She was born May 5, 1949, in Cranford, N.J., the third of six children born to Joseph and Doris (Briggs) Downing.
In 1964, the family moved to Smithfield. Peg graduated from Waterville High School and St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. She worked in the office of admissions at University of New Hampshire for 18 years. In 1991, Peg earned a master’s degree in child literacy from UNH. She then moved to Franklin, N.H., where she directed an Even Start family literacy program. Peg moved on to become the director of NH Reads and remained in that position until 2008. Peg was married to Kevin M. Hunt in 1996; they had 18 wonderful years together. They moved from Canterbury, N.H., to Brooksville after their retirement in 2011. Peg did not just make friends, but she made lifelong friends and these relationships were remarkably vibrant. Peg’s smile was so special and honest. She had a quick and disarming wit, which was impossible not to love. Peg’s generosity of spirit and thoughtfulness were openly shared. Since moving to Brooksville, Peg had become active in the library’s after-school reading program, the Brooksville Meals for Me service and the “Turnstyle”. Peg was also a member of the board of advisors for Children’s Literacy Foundation, Waterbury Vt.
Peg is survived by her husband, Kevin; and her two stepchildren, Molly Hunt of Portland, and Tomas Hunt and partner, Rachel Meeropol; and two grandchildren, Josie Hunt Meeropol and Abel Thomas Hunt Meeropol, all of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a sister, PJ Curtis of Blue Hill; four brothers, James Downing of Sparta, N.J., Michael Downing of Gorham, Dennis Downing and wife, Jan, of Skowhegan, and Timothy Downing and wife, Lili, of Smithfield; many nieces and nephews who still gather at South Branch Pond in Baxter State Park where the Downing clan has gathered every year for the last 48 years.
A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at St. Francis by the Sea, Blue Hill. Interment services will be held in May at Canterbury, N.H. Those who desire may make contributions in Peg’s memory to Children’s Literacy Foundation, 1536 Loomis Hill Road, Waterbury Center, VT 05677. Arrangements in care of Jordan-Fernald, 141 South St., Blue Hill. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
Margaret ‘Peg’ Mary Mary Downing
