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1944 Margaret 2025

Margaret Ann Beckett-Rinker

May 8, 1944 — July 8, 2025

Margaret (Peggy) Beckett-Rinker, of Mansfield Center, Connecticut, died peacefully in her home on July 8th, 2025

Peggy was born in Waterbury, Connecticut on May 8, 1944, to Florence (Normandin) Beckett and William John Beckett.

Peggy’s talent for and love of working with fabric and fashion influenced her achievement of a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Connecticut majoring in Theater Costume Design. She subsequently worked for major regional theaters.

Peggy later pursued Elementary Education at Southern Connecticut State University and taught kindergarten students in New Haven where she helped to write the program for the first elementary school in the city to be planned and run by classroom teachers.

Peggy’s concern for issues of education, the environment, women’s rights, and workers’ rights led to her decision to successfully run for the CT State Legislature representing the Town of Branford, a community she loved. She was proud of her four years as their state representative and was recognized for her hard work and effectiveness in this role.

Peggy served for sixteen years as the Executive Director of UCPEA (the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association) represented by doctors, nurses, librarians, and other UConn professionals.

Peggy converted to Judaism in 1994 and attended Congregation Mishkan Israel in Hamden, Connecticut. She was attracted to the community’s commitment to the value of Tikkun Olam: the repair and healing of the world.

Temple B'nai Israel in Willimantic, Connecticut was her current worship community where she served on the Tikkun Olam Committee, a group dedicated to social justice projects and to ways to help the wider community. As a member of this committee, Peggy was recently recognized for her donation of many beautiful hand knitted blankets for mothers and their children who participate in the local Nurturing Families Program.

Peggy was active in many formal and informal local groups, including the Mansfield Senior Center Beading Group, and a “banned” book study group. She participated for many years in a sewing group with good friends. Peggy was also recognized for the important role she played in fundraising for the local Democratic Party.

Peggy is predeceased by her parents, her infant twin sister Mary, her sister Evelyn, Jennifer, her brother Tom, her brother John, and her former husband Paul Rinker.

She is survived by her siblings Fred Beckett of Huntsville, AL, Louise Beckett of Conway, MA, Kathleen Beckett of Lebanon, NH, Bill Beckett of New Haven, CT, Christine Pelletier and her husband (Jim Pelletier) of Middlebury, CT, Joanne Beckett of Richmond Surrey, UK, Dorothy Beckett and spouse (Neal Fedarko) of Columbia, MD, Anne Beckett of Austin, TX, James Beckett of Middlebury, CT, Theresa and spouse (Matt Krug) of Fryeburg, ME, Luther Beckett of Vietnam, and her many nieces and nephews.

Peggy will be remembered and sorely missed by her many friends in the local and wider community.
To honor both her generous spirit and kindness to those in need, please consider donating your time or resources to a cause close to your heart.

Peggy’s family appreciates the supportive staff of Hartford Healthcare Hospice, caregiver Sima, and Dr. Jennifer Kahn and the staff at Saint Vincent’s Medical Center for their kind and thoughtful care of our sister.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday July 13th,2025 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM, follow by a burial at Temple B'nai Israel in Mansfield, CT at 3:45 PM

The family is requesting that NO FLOWERS be delivered for the service.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Margaret Ann Beckett-Rinker, please visit our flower store.

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Sunday, July 13, 2025

2:30 - 3:30 pm

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