Obituary of Margaret M. Thomas

Margaret M. Thomas died on March 14, 2006 at the age of 101. She was born August 3, 1904 in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, NY. She was the youngest of three daughters of Richard Lawrence Thomas and Sallie Mason Thomas of New York, NY, but lived all her adult life in Plainfield. NJ. She was predeceased by her two sisters, Elizabeth Wilkins Thomas of Plainfield, NJ and Hillary Thomas Underwood of Woodstock, VT. Margaret graduated from Hartridge School and attended Sargent College in Boston to major in physical education. She was very athletic and enjoyed playing golf, tennis and horse-back riding. She was a member of the Plainfield Country Club. Margaret, known by her family and friends as Peggy, has been a vital part of the Plainfield cultural community. She was one of the founders of the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra, acting as assistant registrar during the inaugural season of concerts in 1919 at the old Plainfield High School. Her brother-in-law, Kenneth F.H. Underwood was the first concertmaster under Maestro Christian Kriens. Peggy was present also when the Symphony was invited to play at Carnegie Hall in New York She was honored at the opening of the 81st season (2000-2001) of the Plainfield Symphony by the Board of Directors. Peggy was a long time supporter of the Historical Society of Plainfield and its Drake House. She was a member of its Board of Trustees as well as serving as a docent. An article in the November 1998 issue of Communiqu, the publication of the historical society, spot-lighted her long record of volunteer work. She was an active and supportive member of Grace Church, which she loved dearly. In her youth, Peggy was active in the Plainfield Junior League doing volunteer work. Later she worked for many years at the Plainfield Bookstore in the summers at the Essex and Sussex Hotel at Spring Lake, NJ. Peggy's uncle, Alexander Gilbert, was the major of Plainfield in the late 1800s. His portrait was hung in the Plainfield Library. Peggy is survived by her niece, Denise Underwood Martin of Exeter, NH and her niece Judith A. Starbuck of Patagonia, AZ and by her dear friend Margaret Gaither. At the request of the family there will be no visiting hours or funeral, however a memorial service may be offered at a later date to be announced. Arrangements are by Higgins Home for Funerals, Plainfield.