MERCER – Margaret Smith Pierce, 65, of Mercer, died Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family.
Beloved daughter of Mary and the late Hugh Smith, she was born August 20, 1949. Known to everyone as Peg, she grew up in Topsham, Maine on the banks of the Androscoggin River. She often spoke of her very happy childhood with her brothers and sister, and many visits to Moosehead Lake.
Peg graduated from Brunswick High School in 1967, and the University of Maine at Orono in 1971 with a BA in English.
Peg was treasured by her husband of 43 years, Nick Pierce, who lovingly cared for her throughout her cancer battle. She met Nick at Moosehead Lake in the summer of 1971, and always said that it was love at first sight. They married in June 1972. Together they built a beautiful home in Mercer and raised three daughters: Kathryn Stroman of Mercer, Mary Moreno of Gorham, and Rebecca Lafaialii of Mercer. Peg’s daughters cherished and admired their mother and are immeasurably grateful for her love and guidance.
Peg was a skilled gardener of vegetables and flowers, a classical music enthusiast, a talented seamstress and knitter, and a superb baker of bread and rolls. She also loved birds, maintaining multiple bird feeders and a substantial life list of birds that she had seen in her yard. Peg taught kindergarten for MSAD 54 for many years, and she had a passion for early childhood education and the many children who passed through her classroom. In recent years, Peg’s delight in life was her four grandchildren: Asa, Savea, Elsie, and Margaret. In return, they adored her. Peg was also a natural athlete, and she enjoyed weekly yoga classes, cross-country skiing, walking with her Decker Road friends, kayaking, hiking and biking. She fostered a love of being active outdoors in her children and grandchildren.
Warm, compassionate and patient, and also frugal, witty, and strong, Peg will be profoundly missed by her family and many friends. She is survived by her mother, husband, daughters, grandchildren, brothers, great aunts, nieces & nephews, as well as many cousins.
A remembrance visitation will be held on Sunday, April 19 from 2 – 5 PM at Adams-McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Svc. 108 Court Street in Farmington, Maine. Instead of flowers, please send donations to the children’s collection at Farmington Public Library at 117 Academy Street, Farmington, Maine 04938. Condolences may be sent for the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com
