"Music Was Her Name"
Marguerite Spence Gunn

Our beloved Peggy, of Austin, Texas, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2015, after a lengthy illness. She was born 2 April, 1943 to Harry Buddig Spence and Florence Glass Davis, the second oldest sibling of five children. She was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and spent her early years in Uniontown, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia.

She attended Grady High School in Atlanta and was a 1965 graduate of Goucher College in Towson, Maryland. It was in Maryland that, on a blind date, she met her future husband, William T. Gunn III at his June Week graduation ceremonies of the U.S. Naval Academy in 1963.

Peggy and the love of her life, Bill, married upon her graduation from college and she spent her early married years traveling to various Naval ports as a Navy wife. While her husband awaited the repair of his ship in the Philadelphia Shipyard, she had the joy of bringing her first daughter, Christina French into the world. She enjoyed living in such varied places as Philadelphia, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Virginia Beach, Virginia. Whatever port of call, Peggy created a home that was always welcoming, unique and creative. She also worked as a journalist for the Virginia Beach newspaper and taught college classes as well.

After Bill's resignation from the US Navy, they moved to Dallas where Bill pursued his MBA at SMU. It was in Dallas that their second joy, Carey Spence was born. After graduation from SMU, Bill was hired by the Trammell Crow Co. Peggy and Bill moved to Austin in 1970 so Bill could pursue the expanding real estate interests of the Trammell Crow Co. Peggy immediately became involved in so many ways in the Austin community through charitable and other volunteer pursuits, including early interests in the League of Women Voters and the Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio.

Peggy pursued her dreams and her passions and inspired others to do the same. She instilled the value of a good education and a love of the arts, especially music, in her children and many others along the way. Peggy loved gardening, cooking, laughter and her family. She and Bill both shared a passion for good literature and there were always conversations about whatever good books they were reading. Peggy was a woman of deep faith and was an active member of St. David's Episcopal Church.

Peggy's great love of music inspired her to become actively involved in the Symphony Square Committee and she joined the Women's Symphony League in Austin, through which she was exceptionally proud of both her daughters' presentation at the annual Jewel Ball benefiting the Austin Symphony. Peggy later served on the Board of Directors for the Austin Symphony for many years. Her love of education inspired her to serve for years on the Board of Trustees for her alma mater, Goucher College. Peggy and Bill were also ardent supporters of St. Stephen's Episcopal School, where the middle school is now named Gunn Hall in recognition of their contributions and support. Her love of the arts and further involvement in the arts community inspired her to become involved in the realization of Austin's creative home, the Long Center, where Bill and Peggy are both acknowledged for their contributions to its construction.

The last 25 years of Peggy's life revolved around her work as the Development Director for the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Whether it was to raise funds for an extraordinary concert series, to provide classical educational programs for over 90,000 Central Texas school children or to sponsor the Annual 4th of July Fireworks and Concert at Auditorium Shores, Peggy will be remembered for her tireless devotion to raising awareness for and helping to fund the mission of the Austin Symphony Orchestra throughout the Austin community.

Peggy is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Mae Mallory Krulak. She is survived by her husband, Bill, her daughter, Ceecy and husband, George E. Robinson III, and their two sons, Bremond and Reed. She is also survived by her daughter, Carey and husband, Eric Venditti and their daughter, Eleanor. She is also survived by her brother, Harry Buddig Spence Jr. and his wife, Martha of Goodland, FL; sister, Christina Spence of Oakland, CA; and sister, Sally and husband, Lee Engler of Raleigh, NC. Peggy was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and mentor. Her memories will be cherished by her husband, children and grandchildren, her sisters and brother, cousins, nieces and nephews and her many friends. She will be missed so very much.

Peggy's family wishes to thank everyone who gave her companionship, love and joy throughout her life. Special thanks to her doctors, caregivers, dear friends and extended family for the loving care, nourishment, good humor, and encouragement throughout her illness.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at St. David's Episcopal Church with a reception immediately following in St. David's Grand Hall.

The family requests that memorial gifts in lieu of flowers be made to: The Austin Symphony Orchestra, 1101 Red River Street, Austin, Texas 78701, www.austinsymphony.org