Peggy Rae Sapienza (1944-2015)

Fan and convention organizer Peggy Rae Sapienza, 70, died March 22, 2015, of complications from recent heart surgery.

Sapienza was an important figure in convention fandom. She chaired Bucconeer, the 1998 Baltimore Worldcon, and was the North American Agent for Nippon, the Japanese Worldcon in 2007. She also chaired the Nebula Awards Weekends in 2011 and 2012 and co-chaired the 2014 World Fantasy Convention. She was a vital committee member at many other major cons, including ConStellation, the 1983 Worldcon in Baltimore MD; Noreascon III, the 1989 Worldcon in Boston MA (where she conceptualized and managed the ConCourse); and ConFrancisco, the 1993 Worldcon in San Francisco CA (where she was vice-chair). Sapienza received a Big Heart Award in 1983, shared with her first husband Bob Pavlat, and was fan guest of honor at Chicon 7, the 2012 Worldcon in Chicago IL.

Peggy Rae McKnight was born June 28, 1944 and grew up outside Philadelphia. In 1964 she married Bob Pavlat, and relocated to Maryland; they had two children. Pavlat predeceased her in 1983. In 1999 she married John T. Sapienza. She is survived by her husband, two children, and eight grandchildren.

See the May issue of Locus for a complete obituary.