Obituary of Marguerite Peoples Dorrance

Marguerite Peoples "Peggy" Dorrance, 87, of Chapel Hill, NC, passed away Sunday, October 12 following a brief illness. Born in Shanghai, China Jan 30, 1927, the first child of Marguerite Tahaney and Lewis Jackson Peoples. Peggy later lived in Louisburg, NC and attended St Mary's College in Raleigh and American University where she distinguished herself as a champion swimmer and tennis player, crowned "May Queen" and earned a BA in Fine Art (1949). Married in 1950 to Nathaniel Roberts "Pete" Dorrance (b.1923-d.1984) she travelled the globe following his various posts as an executive in the oil Industry. These included Bombay and Calcutta (where she volunteered with Mother Theresa), India; Nairobi, Kenya; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Singapore, Malaysia; Brussels, Belgium; Greenwich, Ct; and Chapel Hill, NC. An award winning artist of both oil and Chinese brush painting, Peggy was also a gourmet cook frequently attracting her children's friends as unexpected dinner guests. Sunday dinner was always Peggy's curry and she excelled at cooking Chinese cuisine as well. Peggy was known in later years as a UNC Women's Soccer fan, attending every home game. An avid reader she also enjoyed book club and Mah Jong groups at the Chapel Hill Senior Center, and her "ladies lunch group". A master of all card games and puzzles she especially enjoyed working the NYTimes Sunday crossword puzzle. In recent years her freezer was always stocked with chocolate ice cream. Christmas was her favorite time of year when her entire family gathered in Chapel Hill to celebrate together. Peggy is survived by her sister, Helen Peoples Buty of Piedmont, CA, 5 children: Anson Dorrance and wife M'Liss of Chapel Hill, NC; Maggie Dorrance of Stamford, CT; Peter Dorrance and wife Dolly Hunter of Hillsborough, NC; Lew Jack Dorrance and wife Linda of Tequesta, FL, and Chantal Dorrance Lawrence and husband Bruce of Westbrook, CT. She is also survived by grandchildren Michelle Dorrance, Natalie Dorrance Harris and husband David, and Donovan Dorrance, and one great grandson Finley Dorrance Harris. Additionally she is survived by two nieces, a nephew, a grandniece and nephew, and several cousins. A Memorial service will be held at St. Thomas Moore on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 11:00AM. In lieu of flowers gifts may be made to the Seymour Center in her name. Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill is honored to serve the family of Marguerite Peoples Dorrance.