Monica Gaillard Peck, 74, died peacefully at home in her own bed, around dawn on Wednesday, February 19, 2003, from complications caused by a stroke.
Born in Washington, DC, on April 9, 1928, Monica Blodgett Gaillard was the daughter of Col. David St. Pierre (Pete) Gaillard and Mona Blodgett Gaillard; younger sister of David St. Pierre (Peter) Gaillard Jr. and David (Dave) DuBose Gaillard II; and granddaughter of Delos A. Blodgett, philanthropist, of Grand Rapids, MI, and Lt. Col. David DuBose Gaillard, of the Army Corps of Engineers, chief engineer for the Gaillard (Culebra) Cut of the Panama Canal.
Monica attended the Potomac School, the Madeira School, Class of 1945, and Smith College, Class of 1949, graduating with a degree in Education. She married Frederic Taylor Peck Jr. of Mobile, Alabama on July 1, 1949 at St. John's Episcopal Church in the City of Washington. Thus began her life as diplomat's wife, mother, remedial reading teacher, Cub Scout, Brownie, Girl Scout leader, and Junior League member. Monica, Taylor and their expanding family moved to Peru, Columbia, Guatemala, Washington, DC, Spain, Italy, and back to Washington, DC while Taylor pursued his career in the Foreign Service and the US Information Agency. Subsequent "post-service" moves with Taylor and family included living in Newport, RI, Stonington, CT, Maryland, and Virginia.
After Taylor's death from pancreatic cancer in 1983, Monica moved several more times and then settled into Heritage Harbour Community in Annapolis, MD in 1990. Here, she skillfully remodeled again, turning a house into her lovely, stylish home. Monica lived independently at Heritage Harbour, enjoying her friends, her travels to the Bahamas, her garden, her genealogical research, and her "Arthritic & Therapeutic Aquatic Aerobics", until she suffered the stroke this January. She was an active member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of Cincinnatus, and the Colonial Dames. Her convictions also moved her to support organizations such as Save the Bay, Chrysalis House, and the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
Monica was known as a courageous and resolute, spirited fighter when facing her many life-challenges. Her first bout with polio was in 1951 while in Peru which forced her to leave her first, newly born child with Taylor and his mother, Frances Huthsing Peck, and return "stateside" to Warm Springs, Ga. for six months of physical therapy. Though Monica's body was weakened over the last many years by "Post Polio Syndrome", arthritis, and other physical ailments, and in spite of her suffering from chronic depression, her optimism remained strong. Monica's famous, creatively decorated canes - one for every season and occasion - lifted spirits, brought smiles to many, and was her way of keeping her "glass half full". Monica is remembered as a engaging storyteller with a remarkable ability to quote in context, an inventive punster with an ingeniously wry sense of humor, and an enthusiastic reader with a collection of paperback mysteries to rival that of any good library. She had a generous spirit, a widespread intellectual curiosity, and a genuine interest in all types of people. She was also grateful to have been sober the last third of her life.
Monica was pre-deceased by her parents, her husband, and her brothers. She is survived by her son, Taylor (Lory) Peck of Cayutaville, NY; and daughters, Catherine Davis Peck of Santa Fe, NM, Susan Peck of San Diego, CA, and Sarah Gaillard Peck of Frederick, MD. She will be greatly missed by god daughter, Courtney Bowles, many Peck, Gaillard and Croghan nieces, nephews and cousins, sister-in-law, Babs Gaillard McNear, and lifelong friend, Sesaly Gould Krafft.
A memorial celebration followed by a luncheon reception will be held on Monday, May 12, beginning at 11:30 a.m., in the Blue Heron Center at Quiet Waters Park, 600 Quiet Waters Park Road, Annapolis, MD (410) 222-1777. Doors open at 11 a.m. Monica will be interred next to Taylor, in a private ceremony at the Peck-Taylor family plot in Grand Rapids, MI. As per Monica's request, some of her ashes will be sprinkled on the waters surrounding Mackinac Island, MI, where she loved to spend her childhood summers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Post Polio Program, National Rehabilitation Hospital, 102 Irving St. NW, Washington, DC 20016, The Arthritis Foundation, attn: "AFYAP", 9505 Reisterstown Road, Suite 1 North, Owings Mills, MD, 21117, or the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, 1025 Vermont Ave. NW, #1130, Washington, DC 20005.
Published by Ithaca Journal on Mar. 26, 2003.
Born in Washington, DC, on April 9, 1928, Monica Blodgett Gaillard was the daughter of Col. David St. Pierre (Pete) Gaillard and Mona Blodgett Gaillard; younger sister of David St. Pierre (Peter) Gaillard Jr. and David (Dave) DuBose Gaillard II; and granddaughter of Delos A. Blodgett, philanthropist, of Grand Rapids, MI, and Lt. Col. David DuBose Gaillard, of the Army Corps of Engineers, chief engineer for the Gaillard (Culebra) Cut of the Panama Canal.
Monica attended the Potomac School, the Madeira School, Class of 1945, and Smith College, Class of 1949, graduating with a degree in Education. She married Frederic Taylor Peck Jr. of Mobile, Alabama on July 1, 1949 at St. John's Episcopal Church in the City of Washington. Thus began her life as diplomat's wife, mother, remedial reading teacher, Cub Scout, Brownie, Girl Scout leader, and Junior League member. Monica, Taylor and their expanding family moved to Peru, Columbia, Guatemala, Washington, DC, Spain, Italy, and back to Washington, DC while Taylor pursued his career in the Foreign Service and the US Information Agency. Subsequent "post-service" moves with Taylor and family included living in Newport, RI, Stonington, CT, Maryland, and Virginia.
After Taylor's death from pancreatic cancer in 1983, Monica moved several more times and then settled into Heritage Harbour Community in Annapolis, MD in 1990. Here, she skillfully remodeled again, turning a house into her lovely, stylish home. Monica lived independently at Heritage Harbour, enjoying her friends, her travels to the Bahamas, her garden, her genealogical research, and her "Arthritic & Therapeutic Aquatic Aerobics", until she suffered the stroke this January. She was an active member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of Cincinnatus, and the Colonial Dames. Her convictions also moved her to support organizations such as Save the Bay, Chrysalis House, and the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
Monica was known as a courageous and resolute, spirited fighter when facing her many life-challenges. Her first bout with polio was in 1951 while in Peru which forced her to leave her first, newly born child with Taylor and his mother, Frances Huthsing Peck, and return "stateside" to Warm Springs, Ga. for six months of physical therapy. Though Monica's body was weakened over the last many years by "Post Polio Syndrome", arthritis, and other physical ailments, and in spite of her suffering from chronic depression, her optimism remained strong. Monica's famous, creatively decorated canes - one for every season and occasion - lifted spirits, brought smiles to many, and was her way of keeping her "glass half full". Monica is remembered as a engaging storyteller with a remarkable ability to quote in context, an inventive punster with an ingeniously wry sense of humor, and an enthusiastic reader with a collection of paperback mysteries to rival that of any good library. She had a generous spirit, a widespread intellectual curiosity, and a genuine interest in all types of people. She was also grateful to have been sober the last third of her life.
Monica was pre-deceased by her parents, her husband, and her brothers. She is survived by her son, Taylor (Lory) Peck of Cayutaville, NY; and daughters, Catherine Davis Peck of Santa Fe, NM, Susan Peck of San Diego, CA, and Sarah Gaillard Peck of Frederick, MD. She will be greatly missed by god daughter, Courtney Bowles, many Peck, Gaillard and Croghan nieces, nephews and cousins, sister-in-law, Babs Gaillard McNear, and lifelong friend, Sesaly Gould Krafft.
A memorial celebration followed by a luncheon reception will be held on Monday, May 12, beginning at 11:30 a.m., in the Blue Heron Center at Quiet Waters Park, 600 Quiet Waters Park Road, Annapolis, MD (410) 222-1777. Doors open at 11 a.m. Monica will be interred next to Taylor, in a private ceremony at the Peck-Taylor family plot in Grand Rapids, MI. As per Monica's request, some of her ashes will be sprinkled on the waters surrounding Mackinac Island, MI, where she loved to spend her childhood summers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Post Polio Program, National Rehabilitation Hospital, 102 Irving St. NW, Washington, DC 20016, The Arthritis Foundation, attn: "AFYAP", 9505 Reisterstown Road, Suite 1 North, Owings Mills, MD, 21117, or the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, 1025 Vermont Ave. NW, #1130, Washington, DC 20005.
Published by Ithaca Journal on Mar. 26, 2003.
Monica Gaillard Peck, 74, died peacefully at home in her own bed, around dawn on Wednesday, February 19, 2003, from complications caused by a stroke.
Born in Washington, DC, on April 9, 1928, Monica Blodgett Gaillard was the daughter of Col. David St. Pierre (Pete) Gaillard and Mona Blodgett Gaillard; younger sister of David St. Pierre (Peter) Gaillard Jr. and David (Dave) DuBose Gaillard II; and granddaughter of Delos A. Blodgett, philanthropist, of Grand Rapids, MI, and Lt. Col. David DuBose Gaillard, of the Army Corps of Engineers, chief engineer for the Gaillard (Culebra) Cut of the Panama Canal.
Monica attended the Potomac School, the Madeira School, Class of 1945, and Smith College, Class of 1949, graduating with a degree in Education. She married Frederic Taylor Peck Jr. of Mobile, Alabama on July 1, 1949 at St. John's Episcopal Church in the City of Washington. Thus began her life as diplomat's wife, mother, remedial reading teacher, Cub Scout, Brownie, Girl Scout leader, and Junior League member. Monica, Taylor and their expanding family moved to Peru, Columbia, Guatemala, Washington, DC, Spain, Italy, and back to Washington, DC while Taylor pursued his career in the Foreign Service and the US Information Agency. Subsequent "post-service" moves with Taylor and family included living in Newport, RI, Stonington, CT, Maryland, and Virginia.
After Taylor's death from pancreatic cancer in 1983, Monica moved several more times and then settled into Heritage Harbour Community in Annapolis, MD in 1990. Here, she skillfully remodeled again, turning a house into her lovely, stylish home. Monica lived independently at Heritage Harbour, enjoying her friends, her travels to the Bahamas, her garden, her genealogical research, and her "Arthritic & Therapeutic Aquatic Aerobics", until she suffered the stroke this January. She was an active member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of Cincinnatus, and the Colonial Dames. Her convictions also moved her to support organizations such as Save the Bay, Chrysalis House, and the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
Monica was known as a courageous and resolute, spirited fighter when facing her many life-challenges. Her first bout with polio was in 1951 while in Peru which forced her to leave her first, newly born child with Taylor and his mother, Frances Huthsing Peck, and return "stateside" to Warm Springs, Ga. for six months of physical therapy. Though Monica's body was weakened over the last many years by "Post Polio Syndrome", arthritis, and other physical ailments, and in spite of her suffering from chronic depression, her optimism remained strong. Monica's famous, creatively decorated canes - one for every season and occasion - lifted spirits, brought smiles to many, and was her way of keeping her "glass half full". Monica is remembered as a engaging storyteller with a remarkable ability to quote in context, an inventive punster with an ingeniously wry sense of humor, and an enthusiastic reader with a collection of paperback mysteries to rival that of any good library. She had a generous spirit, a widespread intellectual curiosity, and a genuine interest in all types of people. She was also grateful to have been sober the last third of her life.
Monica was pre-deceased by her parents, her husband, and her brothers. She is survived by her son, Taylor (Lory) Peck of Cayutaville, NY; and daughters, Catherine Davis Peck of Santa Fe, NM, Susan Peck of San Diego, CA, and Sarah Gaillard Peck of Frederick, MD. She will be greatly missed by god daughter, Courtney Bowles, many Peck, Gaillard and Croghan nieces, nephews and cousins, sister-in-law, Babs Gaillard McNear, and lifelong friend, Sesaly Gould Krafft.
A memorial celebration followed by a luncheon reception will be held on Monday, May 12, beginning at 11:30 a.m., in the Blue Heron Center at Quiet Waters Park, 600 Quiet Waters Park Road, Annapolis, MD (410) 222-1777. Doors open at 11 a.m. Monica will be interred next to Taylor, in a private ceremony at the Peck-Taylor family plot in Grand Rapids, MI. As per Monica's request, some of her ashes will be sprinkled on the waters surrounding Mackinac Island, MI, where she loved to spend her childhood summers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Post Polio Program, National Rehabilitation Hospital, 102 Irving St. NW, Washington, DC 20016, The Arthritis Foundation, attn: "AFYAP", 9505 Reisterstown Road, Suite 1 North, Owings Mills, MD, 21117, or the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, 1025 Vermont Ave. NW, #1130, Washington, DC 20005.
Published by Ithaca Journal on Mar. 26, 2003.
Born in Washington, DC, on April 9, 1928, Monica Blodgett Gaillard was the daughter of Col. David St. Pierre (Pete) Gaillard and Mona Blodgett Gaillard; younger sister of David St. Pierre (Peter) Gaillard Jr. and David (Dave) DuBose Gaillard II; and granddaughter of Delos A. Blodgett, philanthropist, of Grand Rapids, MI, and Lt. Col. David DuBose Gaillard, of the Army Corps of Engineers, chief engineer for the Gaillard (Culebra) Cut of the Panama Canal.
Monica attended the Potomac School, the Madeira School, Class of 1945, and Smith College, Class of 1949, graduating with a degree in Education. She married Frederic Taylor Peck Jr. of Mobile, Alabama on July 1, 1949 at St. John's Episcopal Church in the City of Washington. Thus began her life as diplomat's wife, mother, remedial reading teacher, Cub Scout, Brownie, Girl Scout leader, and Junior League member. Monica, Taylor and their expanding family moved to Peru, Columbia, Guatemala, Washington, DC, Spain, Italy, and back to Washington, DC while Taylor pursued his career in the Foreign Service and the US Information Agency. Subsequent "post-service" moves with Taylor and family included living in Newport, RI, Stonington, CT, Maryland, and Virginia.
After Taylor's death from pancreatic cancer in 1983, Monica moved several more times and then settled into Heritage Harbour Community in Annapolis, MD in 1990. Here, she skillfully remodeled again, turning a house into her lovely, stylish home. Monica lived independently at Heritage Harbour, enjoying her friends, her travels to the Bahamas, her garden, her genealogical research, and her "Arthritic & Therapeutic Aquatic Aerobics", until she suffered the stroke this January. She was an active member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of Cincinnatus, and the Colonial Dames. Her convictions also moved her to support organizations such as Save the Bay, Chrysalis House, and the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
Monica was known as a courageous and resolute, spirited fighter when facing her many life-challenges. Her first bout with polio was in 1951 while in Peru which forced her to leave her first, newly born child with Taylor and his mother, Frances Huthsing Peck, and return "stateside" to Warm Springs, Ga. for six months of physical therapy. Though Monica's body was weakened over the last many years by "Post Polio Syndrome", arthritis, and other physical ailments, and in spite of her suffering from chronic depression, her optimism remained strong. Monica's famous, creatively decorated canes - one for every season and occasion - lifted spirits, brought smiles to many, and was her way of keeping her "glass half full". Monica is remembered as a engaging storyteller with a remarkable ability to quote in context, an inventive punster with an ingeniously wry sense of humor, and an enthusiastic reader with a collection of paperback mysteries to rival that of any good library. She had a generous spirit, a widespread intellectual curiosity, and a genuine interest in all types of people. She was also grateful to have been sober the last third of her life.
Monica was pre-deceased by her parents, her husband, and her brothers. She is survived by her son, Taylor (Lory) Peck of Cayutaville, NY; and daughters, Catherine Davis Peck of Santa Fe, NM, Susan Peck of San Diego, CA, and Sarah Gaillard Peck of Frederick, MD. She will be greatly missed by god daughter, Courtney Bowles, many Peck, Gaillard and Croghan nieces, nephews and cousins, sister-in-law, Babs Gaillard McNear, and lifelong friend, Sesaly Gould Krafft.
A memorial celebration followed by a luncheon reception will be held on Monday, May 12, beginning at 11:30 a.m., in the Blue Heron Center at Quiet Waters Park, 600 Quiet Waters Park Road, Annapolis, MD (410) 222-1777. Doors open at 11 a.m. Monica will be interred next to Taylor, in a private ceremony at the Peck-Taylor family plot in Grand Rapids, MI. As per Monica's request, some of her ashes will be sprinkled on the waters surrounding Mackinac Island, MI, where she loved to spend her childhood summers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Post Polio Program, National Rehabilitation Hospital, 102 Irving St. NW, Washington, DC 20016, The Arthritis Foundation, attn: "AFYAP", 9505 Reisterstown Road, Suite 1 North, Owings Mills, MD, 21117, or the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, 1025 Vermont Ave. NW, #1130, Washington, DC 20005.
Published by Ithaca Journal on Mar. 26, 2003.
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