Peggy Elizabeth Post

She was born in Baltimore, Maryland on February 20, 1927 to Dr. William P. Thompson and Margaret Elizabeth Caughey Thompson. Pego attended Finch College in New York, and then graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Florida State University in 1950 with a B.A. in Geography and Journalism. She interned with the Tallahassee Democrat and remained a loyal Seminole fan. Many of her happy memories came from time spent in her youth at Sunny Hill Plantation, a northern Leon County property owned by her grandfather, Col. Lewis S. Thompson. He was an avid hunter and benefactor of quail research that continues at Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy. Pego learned to make hogshead cheese and other delights under the tutelage of Betty Komarek on Birdsong Plantation which she continued to support throughout her life. There, she and her children developed their great love of birds and other wildlife and their appreciation of the natural world. Pego was an active supporter of the Sierra Club, Audubon, The Nature Conservancy, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Wilderness Society. She and her family spent many cherished summer vacations on horseback in the mountains of Colorado and the Bob Marshall Wilderness of Montana. Pego participated in The Experiment in International Living and developed a lifetime connection to France and the French people. She was a strong proponent of peaceful international relations and the UNICEF program, and she and her family hosted foreign students from many nations in their home.

One of Pego’s favorite places was Road’s End Farm in Sussex, N.J. where she developed a keen interest in small farming and raised prized peaches and Angus cattle. She was married there to Lt. John E. Post, U.S. Air Force, and accompanied him on his assignment in Japan during the Korean War. Years later, she became well known in Tallahassee for the sukiyaki dinners she prepared for fundraisers. When the war ended, she and her husband returned to the U.S. where she supported him in his study of Veterinary Medicine. She had four children during this time, Laurie, Rebecca Raine, Jonathan, and Jeff. In 1969, Pego returned to Tallahassee with her children. She became an enthusiastic, energetic volunteer in many areas of the community. Education was a high priority for Pego. She was one of the founding parents of Maclay School and provided scholarships for minority students. She was an ardent supporter of their athletic programs as well as the school library.

One of Pego’s proudest accomplishments was due to her love of the natural beauty of the area. During the construction of I-10, she journeyed to Washington and was able to convince the Federal DOT to put the high voltage transmission lines along the right-of-way of the interstate instead of through the pine and oak forests that grace the northern section of the county.

The Telephone Counseling and Referral Service, the Crisis Center (now 2-1-1 Big Bend) and Refuge House were where Pego devoted her energy and compassion during the 1970s. She had the gift of empathy and the ability to provide comfort to people of all walks of life. The Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science benefitted from her creative talents as well. She was very involved with Market Days and established a Jr. Board consisting of high school students interested in the conservation of wildlife. For this and her many other contributions, she was named Woman of the Year of Tallahassee in 1976.

Pego became an active supporter of Greenpeace and developed a great affection for whales and other marine life. She spent some of her happiest times at the Hollyhock Retreat Centre on Cortes Island, British Columbia.

Pego passed on her love of learning and her generous spirit to her children; Laurie Post Jones, Tallahassee, Rebecca Raine Post (Thad Carl), Encinitas, California, Jeffrey N. Post (Jennifer), Hilton Head Island, SC, Jonathan L. Post (Jeanine), Tallahassee, her grandchildren; Meredith Clifford (Sean), Arlington, VA, Molly Jones, Tallahassee, Kyle Jones, San Antonio, TX, Kevan Post (Ashley), Greenville, SC, Brian Post, Birmingham, AL, Stephanie, Amanda, Abigail Post, Tallahassee, Torreyana Carl, Encinitas, CA, Jake and Jessica Post, Hilton Head Island, SC, and one great-granddaughter, Eliana Margaret Clifford, Arlington, VA, her brother Gerald L. Thompson (Kathy) of Corona del Mar, CA.

She was preceded in death by her brother William P. Thompson, Jr.

Much appreciation is extended to her caregivers at Centre Pointe Health and Rehabilitation.

A celebration of Pego’s life will be held in the Gardener’s Cottage at Maclay Gardens on Sunday, July 1st at 9 am. Memorial contributions may be made to Birdsong Nature Center, 2106 Meridian Road, Thomasville, GA 31792; The Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science, 3945 Museum Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310; or 2-1-1 Big Bend, Inc., PO Box 10950, Tallahassee, FL 32302.

Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahassee, Florida.