Peggy Lloyd and Mayor Gillian in 2013. She was the Grand Marshal of the Baby Parade.
Ocean City lost one of its leading lights Saturday with the death of Margaret “Peggy” Lloyd, 102.
A well known patron of the arts, volunteer, tireless worker with the Ocean City Arts Center, the Ocean City Pops and general “woman-about-town”, Peggy retained the enthusiasm and positive spirit she carried over from her years as one of the first-ever cheerleaders at Atlantic City High School, from which she graduated in 1935.
The arts community knew Mrs. Lloyd as a two-term Board of Directors member of the Pops and after that a member of its Advisory Board. In addition, she worked with the orchestra’s Youth Outreach program. She was a fixture at most of the Pops concerts and was known for her animated conversations with audience members before, during and after the concerts.
She also volunteered extensively for the Arts Center, was a financial patron, served on its Board of Directors and organized many of its popular bus trips.
In 2013, she received the Woman of Distinction award from the American Association of University Women’s Atlantic County chapter. That summer she served as the Grand Marshal of the Ocean City Baby Parade.
Mrs. Lloyd was also known for her work with the Miss America Organization, and traveled extensively with many of the pageant winners over a span of more than a decade.
Mayor Jay Gillian issued a statement in sadly noting her passing, but celebrating her life. “Peggy always lived life to the fullest – as an adventurer, artist and active member of the community,” Gillian said. “We should all be thankful that our world in Ocean City is a little better for all of Peggy’s good work. (His wife) Michele’s and my thoughts and prayers are with the Lloyd family at this time.”
In a telephone conversation with a reporter shortly after her 100
th birthday, Mrs. Lloyd took pride in her physical abilities, despite her advanced age. “You know, I still trim my hedges and do other yard work,” she said with pride. “I even shovel my own snow. I don’t think about it, I just go out there and do it.”
The former Margaret Essington lived most of her life in her native Atlantic City but moved to Ocean City in her middle age and resided in Ocean City for 48 years. She put herself through college during the great Depression, graduating from what is now Trenton State College, earning a teaching degree, and served in Newfoundland in the USO during World War II. She was wed to the late attorney John Lloyd in 1977, according to published reports.
After casting her vote in the most recent gubernatorial election, Mrs. Lloyd held court with many of the workers at her polling place and then winked at a reporter before leaving.
“Now it’s time to go out and cause some trouble,” she said.
Ocean City will sorely miss the “trouble” caused by one of its best-loved and most active citizens.
