Margaret Sealy (born McAlister)
Personal
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: February 10, 1923
Date of Death: February 1, 2015
Birth Place: Greensboro, NC
Death Place: Greensboro, NC
Margaret “Peggy” McAlister Sealy
February 10, 1923 – February 1, 2015
Margaret (Peggy) McAlister Sealy, 91, died on February 01, 2015 at Well-Spring Retirement Community. A celebration of her life will be held Wednesday; at 11 A.M. February 04, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary officiated by Reverend David Partington. The family will receive friends in the Virginia Gilmer Room following the church service.
Born February 10, 1923 in Greensboro, N.C., Peggy was baptized and raised in the First Presbyterian Church where her great grandfather Dr. Jacob Henry Smith was pastor from 1859 to 1887. Peggy graduated from Greensboro Senior High School and earned a degree in early education from Converse College in Spartanburg, SC. She was a member of the Junior League of Greensboro and the Wednesday Literary Club.
Peggy met John Benjamin Sealy, Jr (Jack) at First Presbyterian Church where Jack sang in the choir while stationed at the Army ORD training camp in Greensboro. They married in 1945 and celebrated 62 years together until Jack’s death in 2007.
Upon moving to Madison, NC in 1953, Peggy and Jack remained active in the church. At Madison Presbyterian, Peggy served as a Deacon, Elder, and Sunday school teacher. She was organist there for many years and directed both the adult and children’s choirs. In 2001, the church honored Peggy and Jack for 50 years of service and dedication. Peggy was also awarded an honorary life membership in the Presbyterian Woman of the Church. With her interest and degree in early childhood education, Peggy operated a kindergarten from her home in Madison for over 20 years.
One of Peggy’s greatest pleasures in life was golf. She learned to play the game at an early age from her grandfather A.W. McAlister, winning her first trophy on the Sedgefield Country Club course at age 14 in 1937. Peggy continued to enjoy golf with friends and family throughout her life.
If one thing defined Peggy’s life it was music; having learned to play piano at age five. She accompanied Jack’s vocals on piano or organ at uncounted weddings, funerals, and other services. An accomplished pianist, she later in life became an avid student of Jazz. Under the tutelage and accompaniment of Mark Freundt and Mike Evans, Peggy conducted many concerts at Well Spring performing her personal arrangements of jazz standards as The Peggy Sealy Trio.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, John Worth and Mary Watson Vaughn McAlister, sister Sarah Little McAlister and brother Robert Vaughn McAlister. She is survived by her daughters, Josie Sealy Zurav (Paul), Jeanie Sealy Ray (Flip), and son, John Benjamin Sealy III (Kathy); granddaughters, Margaret Ray Lowe (Bradley), Mary Watson Ray McGhie (Te), Heather Jones Smith (Chad), Kristen Jones Joyner (Jonathan); grandsons, David Hart Prendergast, Carl Martin Prendergast, and Phillip Duckworth Ray Jr. (Lesslie); eight great grandchildren; Anna Prendergast, Thomas Lowe, Caroline Lowe, Carter Smith, Harper McGhie, Nora Smith, Reid Smith and Mary Elizabeth Smith.
Peggy is survived by a sister, Mary Watson (Watty) Pinson (Marvin); brother, John Worth McAlister, Jr., of Charlotte; and sister-in-law, Cornelia Dickerson McAlister also of Charlotte. The family expresses a deep appreciation to Kimberly (Kim) Neely for her years of exceptional care and companionship. Appreciation also goes to the Well-Spring Retirement Community nurses and staff who have provided excellent care and support.
Memorials may be made to The Benevolent Fund or Music Fund of Well-Spring, 4100 Well Spring Dr., Greensboro, N.C. 27410 or to a charity of one’s choosing.
Published online by the Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary
