Peace activist remembered
Memorial honors Peg McIntire for her dedication to peace, justice projects
By KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 07/01/08
Hundreds of people attended activist Peg McIntire's memorial Monday, where speaker and fellow activist Stetson Kennedy said, "Joan of Arc had nothing on her."
Jo McIntire, Peg's son, said she began putting together her memorial or party, as she called it 10 years ago. And there was one thing she most requested: that everyone have a good time.
People of all ages and backgrounds, including City and County Commissioners, did just that Monday evening. They ate a potluck dinner at the St. Augustine Beach Pier and Pavilion and listened to music such as "Imagine" by the Beatles.
"She'd be proud," Jo McIntire said. "She had so many friends across generations. She was quite a gal."
McIntire worked tirelessly throughout her life on projects for peace and justice. She died May 29 at the age of 97, just three days after participating in a demonstration on Memorial Day.
In her colorful life, she assisted the MGM film producer of "Ben-Hur," lived with her family in Rome and worked with her husband in the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization.
Several people shared their favorite stories of McIntire, including Tom Santoni, who worked with her in the organization People for Peace and Justice.
He recalled when McIntire wrote letters to Washington, D.C., protesting the invasion of Iraq after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. She then said she was going to her bank to make copies of the letter.
"I thought, yeah, sure, I'll go along with it," Santoni said.
"But she waltzed right in the bank, said hello to a few people, made 100 copies of the letter and walked out.
"Everyone knew her everywhere she went."
Jo McIntire said he has received numerous e-mails from people sharing stories about his mother. He hopes to eventually publish a book of "Pegisms."
The pavilion also was lined with posters with statements such as "War Is Not The Answer" and banners that stated, "Violence Ends Where Love Begins."
There were booths of memorabilia and information about the Florida Coalition for Peace and Justice, in which McIntire was very active, said coordinator Bob Tancig.
"We'll miss her spirit and energy," Tancig said. "She always inspired you to do a little more and work a little harder.
"She was a dynamo."
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