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Long-time Gulf High School science teacher Margaret Peek died on Nov. 10. She was 64 years old. Ms. Peek joined the GHS faculty in the 1973-74 school year and was for many years the chair of the science department. She retired at the start of the 2011-12 school year because of her health. Ms. Peek was named the Gulf Teacher of the Year four times, in 1975-76, 1978-79, 1984-85, and 1999-2000. She was a candidate to be the first Teacher in Space aboard the Challenger Shuttle; she and her class watched the vehicle explode after liftoff. She held a B. S. degree in Chemistry from the University of Miami, an M. A. degree in Science Education/ Chemistry from the University of South Florida, and did additional coursework at the University of California at Berkeley. She graduated from H. B. Plant High School in Tampa. Ms. Peek was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her mother worked in the Manhattan Project under J. R. Oppenheimer at Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

There will be no local service. A service will take place in Franklin, Tennessee, on Thursday, Nov 15th at 10:30 am. (Mount Hope Cemetery) If you would like to send a card or flowers you can send it to:

Marshall Donnelly Combs Funeral Home
201 25th Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37203
615.327.1111

If you would like to use the local florist in the Tennessee area you can call:

Dignity Florist
615.463.8989

Here is her obituary, published in newspapers on Nov. 13:

PEEK, Margaret Frances, 64, of New Port Richey, FL, passed away on Saturday, November 10, 2012, after a valiant fight with cancer. Born in Chattanooga, TN, she was a graduate of H.B. Plant High School, Tampa, FL; the University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL (B.S. Chemistry); University of South Florida (M.A. Science Education/ Chemistry), and completed coursework at the University of California, Berkley. She was an adjunct faculty member to Hillsborough Community College and Pasco Hernando Community College. She taught at Gulf High School for 36 years in the subject areas of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. She received Teacher of the Year honors four times. She was a candidate to be the first teacher in space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. Her hobbies included spin/fly fishing, golf, horseback riding, gourmet cooking, and traveling. She is preceded in death by her father, E. Frank Peek, Jr.; and her mother, Frances Chumley Peek. She is survived by her sister, Carol Peek Spink (Mike), Auburn, CA; her brother, Andrew Peek, Tampa, FL; her two close friends and caregivers, Nancy Kinnunen, New Port Richey, FL, and Louann Sundland, Hudson, FL; and many beloved cousins, nephews and nieces. At her request, a private funeral service for the family will be held at the graveside in Franklin, TN.