“Peggy (Giffen) Starr, a champion of the arts and culture, died Wednesday at age 100,” reads an unsigned obituary in Thursday’s (12/10) Republican (Springfield, MA). “She was born in New York City in 1920, the daughter of the late Anne and Lewis Giffen, who were active in cultural affairs. Her mother was secretary of the New York City Opera company. Peggy and her late husband, David Starr, were a team throughout their 76-year marriage…. They spent … their lives working to make Springfield a better community. Peggy was a tireless volunteer. She was active in a number of Springfield organizations, including the Springfield Symphony, WGBY, the region’s public television station, New England Public Radio, and the Springfield Museums Association…. From 1960 to 1977 Peggy was music editor at the Long Island Press, guiding critics who covered ballet, music, theater and movies. Even before they arrived in Massachusetts, Peggy joined the Springfield Symphony. In 2007 … Peggy was honored with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s Janee Armstrong Friedmann Award [for her fundraising efforts]. Peggy is survived by their two children, Pamela Starr Bromberg … and her son Peter … and two grandchildren.”
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