In Loving Memory

Peg Libertus 1944-2011

            “Peg” Margaret Joan Libertus, 67, died September 26, 2011 from complications of ovarian cancer. Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Margaret Joan and William Mivin Libertus, Peg spent her early childhood on the Missouri farm of her maternal grandmother. Her family moved frequently, following her father’s military career, eventually joining him in occupied Japan where Peg contracted polio. Since the age of thirteen, Peg has required the use of a wheelchair. Despite that handicap and the multiple spinal surgeries which followed, Peg persevered. She taught herself to play guitar and later helped support herself in college by singing in coffee houses. She attended the University of Texas-Austin and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English at Missouri State University. She continued on to her graduate studies in Missouri, earning a Master of Arts in Speech and Theatre from Southwest Missouri State University and receiving honors for her direction of Waiting for Godot. She also earned a Master of Fine Arts in Drama and Communications at LSU in New Orleans. She had the privilege of working with Howard Orms and a stellar class of fellow drama students, several of whom went on to successful acting careers in film and theatre. In Gainesville, Peg taught drama at Santa Fe College’s Continuing Education Program. She was awarded a State of Florida Individual Artist’s Grant for her fiction writing. She encouraged many others in their creativity, especially local writers. Her greatest theatrical accomplishment was the completion of the musical “The Boxer of Basin Street” presented at the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre in Gainesville.

            Peg had a strong commitment to community service and political activism ranging from the street protests at the National Democratic convention in 1968 to the soup kitchen of St. Francis House here in Gainesville. Over the years, she served as board member or advisory committee member for various agencies: North Central Florida Health Planning Council, State of Florida Prevention of Disabilities Advisory Council, Alachua County/City of Gainesville Cultural Affairs Board, and the Center for Independent Living. Peg also contributed her writing and graphic skills to the St. Francis House newsletter and to the United Way of Alachua County. Peg was a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party and a Party volunteer during many national and local elections. She advocated for the rights of the handicapped.     

            Peg found the world infinitely fascinating and her interests were broad. Aside from the theatre and politics, Peg read voraciously about the civil war. She loved poetry. Music was a consistent and important part of her life, and in her later years she discovered opera. She was also an astronomy buff and Carl Sagan fan. She loved football and looked forward to the fall season each year. She loved fishing off the piers of Cedar Key. Peg enjoyed playing bridge and poker with friends. She was passionate about tomatoes and grew her own from seed most years. She was also inordinately fond of lemons. 

            She was preceded in death by both her parents. She leaves behind, her beloved canine, Fast Eddy, her dear brother, Mike Libertus and his partner, Pam Mayer, of Hartville, Missouri, her brother, John Libertus of Seattle, her closest cousins here in Florida, Robin Ecker and her husband Tony Ecker and three cherished godchildren, Erin Tyre, Biron Ecker and Ryan Ecker, of Gainesville, Bill and Sue Herring of Sarasota, Florida, Aunt Leona Epstein of New Orleans, as well as cousins in Alabama, Missouri, and Maryland, and one nephew, Mivin Libertus, two grandnieces, and two great-grandnephews.

  Peg is also survived by friends scattered across many decades and several states. She was the confidante of many and will be missed for years to come.