MANCHESTER, Connecticut — Margaret Smith Peet, 92, finished her life’s journey on Friday, May 19, 2023 at Manchester Manor in Manchester, Connecticut. She was the daughter of the Rev. Jesse Benjamin Smith and Gladys Cockrell Smith and was born on April 26, 1931 in Loganville, Georgia, spending her early years in the state.

She was a graduate of Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, majoring in organ performance. Upon graduation, she started a masters degree program in sacred music at Union Seminary in New York City. While attending Union, Margaret met Charles H. Peet, who was a theology student at Union, and they were soon married in 1954 and moved to Portville, New York where Charles had his first ministerial position. Their three children, Katharine, Carole and Andrew, were all born during this time, with the family eventually moving to Roseland, New Jersey, where they lived for 25 years.

Margaret was an accomplished church organist and choir director, and served in the music positions at the Roseland Presbyterian Church and Glen Ridge Presbyterian Church during her time in New Jersey. Her interests in naturopathic medicine led to her studies at the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she obtained her degree. As co-author of the book My Doctor Says I’m Fine, So Why Do I Feel So Bad, Margaret was able to share her training with others and led many workshops in the communities where she lived. In addition to her naturopathic training, Margaret was the assistant to author and women’s rights activist Betty Friedan for ten years.

She enjoyed hiking the White Mountains and helped to coordinate the family camping trips that took place each summer across the United States. Before moving to Connecticut to be near family, Margaret lived in Camden, Maine and sang in the St. Thomas Episcopal Church choir and Down East Singers throughout her time there.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Charles H. Peet; parents; brother, Rev. Daniel Smith; and sister and brothers-in-law, Howard and Shirley Cox and Robert Peet.

She is survived by her three children, Katharine Peet (Stephen Wood), Carole Peet, and Andrew Peet (Sam Lanier); sisters-in-law Kendra Smith and Sharon Peet; and son-in-law Doug Johnson.

She was the grandmother to Ehrin Armstrong, Adam Johnson, Emma Peet, Zachary Wood, Jacob Wood, Graham Peet and Summer Peet. She was the great grandmother to Shane, Lucas, Adeline, Miriam, Camden and Spencer. She was also Aunt Margaret to many nieces and nephews.

She will especially be remembered by her dog Rosie, a long haired dachshund, who always put a smile on Margaret’s face when they were together.

As Margaret always said, she was “hanging in there,” which she did until the end.

We are fortunate to have been a part of her life and hold onto the gift of music that she shared with all of us.

Burial will be at the convenience of the family.