Margaret A. Warfield
Ocean City
“A beautiful body perishes, but a work of art dies not.” — Leonardo da Vinci.
Margaret “Peggy” Ann Warfield, 84, of Ocean City, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the Macky & Pam Stansell House.
The morning after her passing, dawn broke over Ocean City, Maryland in a radiant cotton candy sky – an inspired collage of color, texture, and light layered with ribbons of bright pink and shredded striations of purple. That morning’s masterpiece was a canvas of thoughtful depth, loving devotion, and quiet determination that felt reminiscent of one artist’s life work. Her family believes that sunrise was her final gift, one last glimpse of her loving light.
Peggy was born on October 3, 1941, in Baltimore, Maryland, the daughter of the late Margaret (Halverson) Hoey and John Ellsworth “East” Hoey. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from McDaniel College (Western Maryland College) and taught high school English in Anaheim, California, and in Worcester County, Maryland.
While at McDaniel, she met her future husband and lifelong dance partner, Robert E. “Bob” Warfield Sr. The couple married and moved to Ocean City almost 50 years ago, where they built a blessed life centered on family and friends. Their home was the epicenter of activity – hosting work parties, book clubs, birthday parties, family reunions, and abundant crab feasts. All who visited felt welcome due in part to Peggy’s warmth and welcoming spirit. Guests often enjoyed a cup of tea with Peggy on the screened porch overlooking the tapestry of color in her garden and the marsh beyond.
A devoted mother and grandmother, Peggy poured her greatest gifts into raising her children, Claire and Rob, and later into loving her grandchildren, Maddie, Emerson, and Oakes well. With quiet elegance and abundant joy, she made her family and friends feel heard and seen, and she taught the importance of contented gratitude, honest integrity, compassion, and grace.
An accomplished artist, Peggy was galleried at the Worcester County Arts Council’s Gallery as a Co-Op Artist and Member and at Gallery One in Ocean View, DE. With an eye for composition, she began in watercolor and became an award-winning collagist and published author. Peggy’s view of the world was such a gift when translated to her canvas.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Ronald E. Hoey Sr.; and her loving husband of 47 years, Robert E. (Bob) Warfield Sr.
Peggy is survived by her daughter, Claire (Warfield) Reynolds, and her husband, Mike, of Berlin, Maryland; her son, Robert “Rob” E. Warfield Jr., and his wife, Sarrin, of Greenville, South Carolina; three beloved grandchildren, Maddie, Emerson, and Oakes; her sister-in-law, Ann Irene Hoey; nieces Susan Hoey Auvil and Wendy Hoey Otto; nephew Ronald E. Hoey Jr.; and her faithful and watchful grand dog, Reggie.
In keeping with her wishes, cremation was chosen, and a private family service will be held. The family encourages all who knew Peggy to honor her in a way that is special to them.
Letters of condolence may be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Coastal Hospice Stansell House, 1500 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, Md. 21811, or the Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th Street, Ocean City, Md. 21842.