Margaret Dunham Griggs (“Peggy”), 84, of Puako and later Waikoloa, Hawaii, died peacefully on March 6 at her daughter Margaret Wille’s home in Kamuela, Hawaii.
Peggy’s two sons, Ward and Eugene McCain and two of her granddaughters, Maggie and Kathryn Wille, were also with her. She is also survived by grandchildren Tyler, Miranda Sarah, and Tara Grace McCain of Maui, Hawaii, and stepfamily members, including Hope Griggs Turner and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of her late husband Maitland Lee Griggs of Ardsley on Hudson, N.Y.
Peggy Griggs will be known and remembered by many as one of the great painter/artist geniuses of the 20th century. Her paintings were shown at a number of museums and galleries, including New York’s Hudson River Museum.
In mid years, she closed her art studio and dedicated herself to the anti-Vietnam war efforts of that era.
In the 1980’s she donated land and buildings to create the Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts, a 200-acre ceramic art residence community in Newcastle/Edgecomb to give serious ceramic artists an affordable venue in which to pursue their artistic passion. In the same vicinity, she donated an extraordinary 55-acre parcel on the Sheepscot River to the Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association. This “Griggs Preserve” is the Association’s oldest public preserve.
In the early 70’s she also started up the well-recognized Damariscotta River Association, which now owns 31 properties encompassing over 700 acres and holds 40 conservation easements on an additional 1350 acres along the Damariscotta River. Her ashes will be laid to rest at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., beside those of her late husband, Maitland Griggs.
Private family services will be held at that time.
Memorial donations may be made in Peggy’s memory to Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, 19 Brick Hill Rd., Newcastle, ME 04553.
