STALNAKER, Margaret Peters Stalnaker of Washington, DC, formerly of Kilmarnock and Chesapeake, VA died January 29th, 2026.

She is survived by her husband, Jamie Anderson Stalnaker, formerly of Kilmarnock and Virginia Beach, VA and her sister, Kate Peters Hodge and husband Dr. Steven Hodge, of Louisville, KY. Born in Macon, GA and raised in Virginia, she was predeceased by Lt. Col. (USAF Ret.) Wilmer Moore Peters and Faye Strickland Peters of Chesapeake, VA and by her sister, Niwana Peters Martin, of Harpers Ferry, WV. Peggy is survived by her children, Lindsay Forehand Angerholzer and husband, Maxmillian Angerholzer III of Washington, DC; Walker Harrison Forehand and wife, Kristin Fisher Forehand of Washington, DC; and Jamie’s stepchildren, Randolph Coalter Pollock and wife, Elizabeth Pollock of Williamsburg, VA; Elizabeth Pollock Staples and husband, Stuart Staples of Virginia Beach, VA; and Scott Adams and wife Monique Adams of Virginia Beach, VA; and grandchildren she adored. Peggy received her BA degree in 1973 from Westhampton College of the University of Richmond and MA in 1974 from Virginia Commonwealth University and her MLS in 1977 from the University of Maryland. Peggy retired in 2008 and joined Jamie in the Northern Neck, where Jamie had enjoyed a weekend boating life for 35 years and she loved sharing that beautiful area with him.

Peggy spent her entire professional career working for the Chesapeake Public Library system as Director of Libraries and Research services from 1985-2008. When the need arose, she also served as Acting Assistant City Manager for Finance and three other departments from 1999-2002. In her tenure, she oversaw the construction of a new main library and six additional branches. Under her leadership the Chesapeake Library was recognized as one of the top 20 library systems in the country.

Peggy was given the highest honor in Chesapeake, VA, when selected as the First Citizen of Chesapeake in 2005. She was also selected in 2003 as the Chesapeake Woman of the Year by the Women’s division of the Chesapeake Chamber of Commerce. She was honored and received numerous other awards from other civic organizations. She served on a number of governor-appointed commissions and task forces. At the national level, she served on various committees of the National Library Association and the Public Library Association.

Peggy was appointed by the Governor to the board of the Library of Virginia, where she later served as its Chair. She also chaired the board of the Library of Virginia Foundation. Peggy was honored in 2005 with the Semper Virginia

Award for significant contributions to literacy and libraries in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Peggy was equally committed to community leadership as she worked on behalf of Public Broadcasting, serving as chair of the WHRO Foundation Board. Her leadership extended as well to the United Way of South Hampton Roads Board which she chaired.

She worked tirelessly for education issues on the board of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, chaired the American Cancer Society, the Tidewater Red Cross and Colonial Coast Girl Scout Council.

Never one to take the easy route, Peggy continued her community involvement in 2008 in her retirement in the Northern Neck by working with education and community organizations, serving on the Chesapeake Academy Board and was President of the Lancaster Community Library as well as the Rappahannock Arts Foundation. She loved being a parishioner of Grace Episcopal Church, and was involved in numerous community outreach programs. After moving to Washington, Peggy became very active at All Saints Chevy Chase. Her favorite time was always spent with family and friends at every opportunity.

She will be interred in a private ceremony with only family. Celebrations of her life will be held in Washington, DC and Kilmarnock, VA at dates to be selected. In lieu of flowers, Peggy would want donations to be given in support of the Library of Virginia and the National MS Society.