Obituary of Margaret (Peg) Eaton Koerner

Margaret (Peg) Eaton Koerner Peg Koerner, a Woodstock resident of 47 years, died surrounded by her family in Worcester, MA on Sunday June 22, 2014. She had joyously celebrated her 90th birthday in March at a party in Woodstock. Peg grew up in Brockton, MA, the fourth of six children of the late Margaret Ayers Eaton and Louis Franklin Eaton. She was a member of the Mayflower Society. She married the late Dr. Theodor (Ted) Cooper Koerner in 1950, celebrating 50 years of marriage before his death in 2001. Together, they raised five children - Christopher, Allan, Jeffrey, Mark and Susan. Carrying on her father's tradition of writing to the family every week, Peg wrote 2,027 weekly letters to her family with updates on family events, the most recent being last Friday morning after speaking with her five children. The letters started as carbon copies mailed through the U.S. Postal Service in 1975. Twelve years ago, she began sending the letters by email, including extended family in the distribution. She graduated from Walnut Hill School and Skidmore College with a degree in Chemistry. She taught at Rogers Hall School in Lowell and was a medical chemist at several hospitals. Peg was active in the community having recently retired as the second-longest serving volunteer at Day Kimball Hospital after an amazing 42 years' as a volunteer, accumulating over 4,000 hours. She was a member of Christ Church in Pomfret for over 40 years and volunteered in the church office every Monday. She also held various leadership positions in the Episcopal Church Women. An avid gardener, Peg served as Chairperson of the Woodstock Beautification Committee for many years. Peg took part in an array of sports and games either as a participant or a spectator; she swam regularly even at the age of 90; was a member of two bridge groups. She and Ted often won the local Couples Bridge Club Championship. She played golf at Quinnatisset and more recently at Harrisville; and was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and the UConn Women's Basketball team. Known for her blueberry muffins and pies, her addiction to jigsaw puzzles and her skill at knitting sweaters for her children and grandchildren, Peg will be missed by the many who knew her. She leaves four sons: Christopher Eaton Koerner of Oakton, VA; Allan Wade Koerner of Farmington, CT; Jeffrey Ayers Koerner of Glastonbury, CT; and Mark Cooper Koerner of Marion, MA; and one daughter, Susan Koerner of Westminster, CO. Also daughters-in-law Ingrid (Allan), Jo-Anne Leventhal (Jeffrey) and Meredith (Mark); and a son-in-law Scott Hirst (Susan). She is survived by six grandchildren - Melissa (and Jason) Reeve of Marlton, NJ; Andrew Koerner of San Francisco, CA; Mara Koerner of Boston, MA; Olivia Koerner of Farmington, CT; Emily Koerner of Marion, MA; and Rebecca Koerner of Marion, MA. She has three great-grandchildren: Cooper Theodor; Morrison Alice; and Carter Jeffrey Reeve, all of Marlton, NJ. She also leaves behind a brother, David Ayers Eaton of North Sandwich, NH and a sister Mary Abigail Mott of Topsham, ME. along with many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers Louis Franklin Eaton, Jr of Cohasset, MA, Robert Ayers Eaton of Center Sandwich, NH and Allan Ayers Eaton of Duxbury,MA. A memorial service will take place on Thursday, June 26 at 2 p.m. at Christ Church, Pomfret CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Church Koerner Scholarship Fund, 512 Pomfret St, Pomfret CT 06258; or Day Kimball Hospital, 320 Pomfret St, Putnam, CT 06260.