Barbara Peppey - Our Founder
Healthy Peninsula has lost its founder and advocate-in-chief. We honor her memory.
Wherever a beautiful soul has been there is a trail of beautiful memories.
Barbara Jo Peppey died suddenly on February 3, 2016 in Silver City, NM in an accident involving black ice. She was a loving and much loved wife, mother, sister, aunt and grandmother. She is fondly remembered by her many loyal friends as a vivacious person and eager advocate, always available and ready to help in person. She was dedicated to getting things done in many large or small humanitarian causes. Barbara was a highly regarded, gifted social worker fully engaged in the lives and challenges of many people. She was also a devoted teacher of social workers who helped many others carry on her life’s work.
Western New Mexico University in Silver City hired her to teach social work part-time statewide. She is fondly remembered by all who worked with her as the person who could get things done and done brilliantly. She cared! Her loving work sparkled and inspired all around.
Barbara was born April 3, 1950 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Robert and Gloria Peppey. She graduated from Albion College with a BS in biology, also gaining a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling from Bowling Green State in Ohio and a MSW Masters in Social Work from the University of Maine.
For many years, Barbara ran Head Start in Aroostook, Washington, and Hancock Counties, a large sector of rural Maine. She also taught graduate classes in social work at the University of Maine in Orono. In 2001, she was hired to create, direct and shape Healthy Peninsula which she did for more than ten years. Her many achievements set standards of excellence throughout the state and beyond. Even while retired, Barbara wasn’t done.