OTISFIELD – Margaret “Peggy” Hamlin Truman, 59, of Gore Road, Otisfield, died Feb. 24, at her home, surrounded by her loving family, after a five-year battle with ovarian cancer. A passionate caregiver, a wonderful wife, mother and “Mimi,” Peggy touched and inspired countless lives with her spirit and energy.

She was born in Portland, Dec. 3, 1948, the daughter of Charles Eric Hamlin and Patricia Greene Hamlin and grew up in South Waterford. A 1967 graduate of Oxford Hills High School, she headed straight for the big city of Boston, where she pursued a career in physical therapy, graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University Boston Bouve College of Physical Therapy in 1971.

After beginning her career at Massachusetts General Hospital for a year, she returned to Maine and helped start the first physical therapy department at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway in 1972. Peggy married the love of her life, Edward R. Truman, on Oct. 7, 1972. She made Eddie’s eyes “light up” every time he saw her and they spent 35 wonderful years together.

In 1975, they moved to Michigan, where she continued her career in physical therapy at Monroe Hospital. In 1978, she, Ed and baby Matthew moved back to Maine and she returned to Stephens Memorial Hospital. She also worked at Huber Associates in Auburn from 2001 to 2003 and then at Bridgton Hospital from May 2003 until present. Helping others was her true passion in life and she always said she valued her human relationships above all things.

A proud mother, she spent much time over the years after her two sons sporting events, from little league and flag football through college, where she and Ed traveled many miles to enjoy watching Matthew pitch for the University of Maine baseball team in Orono and Ian playing football for Springfield College in Springfield, Mass.

Camping and fishing trips with her family were always special events and she hauled in many salmon and brook trout in her time. She always took her place in the front of the boat with her beloved dog, Leo, with a book in her hand and the wind in her hair. She also could often be found relaxing and swimming at her father’s camp on Keoka Lake in Waterford.

She enjoyed performing in and attending local community theater and her love and appreciation for the arts and music was a great inspiration to her sons. One of her greatest pleasures in recent years was taking ballroom dancing lessons with her best friend and husband, Ed.

During her illness, she was able to fulfill her dream of visiting her grandmother Hamlin’s hometown of Stockholm, Sweden, and meeting a Swedish cousin she had been corresponding with over the years. She and Ed also visited his family’s native country of Finland.

In September 2007, she and Ed visited the Grand Canyon with friends and enjoyed the mule ride down into the canyon. Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Disney World and cruises were other adventures she and Eddie enjoyed.

A fabulous cook, she always enjoyed hosting large family gatherings for holidays and other special occasions. “Big Supper Sundays” were something her family especially enjoyed. She was a wonderful “Mimi” and has left an indelible mark on her granddaughter, Skyler, who is two and a half years old. She never seemed to tire, or complain and she truly inspired the best in those around her. She will be remembered most for her selfless, caring personality and amazing heart.

She leaves behind her loving husband of 35 years, Edward; her two sons, Matthew and his wife, Ronni, and granddaughter, Skyler, of Oxford and Ian and his fiancée, April Langley, of South Paris; sisters, Maureen Kennedy and her husband, William, of Otisfield and Kathleen Graham and her husband, Perley, of South Waterford; a special cousin, Carol Ellingwood of Winthrop; sisters-in-law, Betty Hertell and her husband, Edwin, of Oxford, Janice Lasselle and her husband, John, of Norway and Freda Truman of Norway; brother-in-law, Ned Truman and his wife, Jeanette, of Oxford; several aunts, many cousins, nieces and nephews; and many very special friends who will dearly miss her.

She was predeceased by her parents; and her bother, George Eric Hamlin.