Margaret Glasco

Longtime Durango resident Margaret Louise Glasco, known as Peggy, passed away peacefully at home on June 17, 2011. Peggy was born to Jean and Stewart Thompson in Fort Defiance, Arizona, on October 27, 1937. She grew up on the Navajo Nation with her sister Sydney and brother Vaughn, as her mother and father operated the Pine Springs, Wide Ruins and Tse Bonito trading posts. She talked fondly of her early years riding horses and playing with her Navajo friends.

She graduated high school in Gallup, New Mexico, in 1955, and majored in chemistry at University of Arizona in 1959. In college she became a lifelong member of the Delta Gamma Sorority. She taught high school chemistry until she married Richard Glasco on December 2, 1960. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. As a homemaker she raised three sons Kyle, Garth and Shawn, and has seven grandchildren Wesley, Bryan, Chad, Joshua, Colton, Catarina and Maleigha.

Beginning at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Fort Defiance, Arizona, Peggy has been a member of the Episcopal Church since birth. She is an active member of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church since 1971, serving on the vestry and search committees numerous times. In addition she was active in Liturgical dance movement expressing the lyrics of sacred songs.

Peggy’s passion about her faith and service to others, with daily Bible study and prayer, serves as an example of grace personified. Peggy was a charter member of the Order of Daughters of the King St. Mark’s Chapter, women committed to daily intercessory prayer. Annual retreats were held at the family condominium at Purgatory for many years. The condo was also a place of many family gatherings to enjoy the family’s love of skiing.

For 31 years, Peggy worked countless volunteer hours with Alternative Horizons, helping domestic violence victims. Alternative Horizons said, “Peggy was a pivotal figure in fighting domestic violence in Durango. Her passion for the work of Alternative Horizons spanned three decades. Peggy was an active board member and participated in all aspects of Alternative Horizons, dedicating countless hours to training new advocates, mentoring, cheering and listening. We have all been blessed by Peggy and will miss her gentle soft spoken words and fierce advocacy.”

Peggy stayed active throughout her life skiing, playing tennis, honky-tonk dancing and hiking all over the Southwest with her husband. While giving to numerous charities and creating a wildlife sanctuary around the family home by feeding and taking care of animals, Peggy’s kind heart shone through.

Peggy is survived by her husband of 50 years, Richard Glasco, brother Vaughn, sons Kyle, Garth and Shawn, seven grandkids, and many cousins, nephews and nieces. She is predeceased by her parents and sister Sydney.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2011, at 2:00 PM at Saint Mark's Episcopal Church, located at 910 East Third Avenue, Durango Colorado. A reception will be held afterwards in the Parish Hall.

Cremation has occurred. Her ashes will be buried in Saint Marks Church columbarium and spread over Sacred Mesa in Southeast Utah. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Alternative Horizons, P.O. Box 503, Durango Colorado 81302.