ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) \u2014 An Altoona woman has become the oldest organ donor in Pennsylvania history and the oldest known female donor, having passed away at the age of 97.<\/p>\n
Margaret \u201cPeggy\u201d Fields donated her liver to a woman in her 60s, who doctors say is doing well.<\/p>\n
Peggy volunteered often for historical organizations across the Commonwealth, including Hanna\u2019s House in Westmoreland County, Baker Mansion and Fort Roberdeau.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was always, always the volunteer. She seemed to have leadership qualities because she always end up being president of something,\u201d Peggy\u2019s daughter Linda Kirk said. \u201cShe was always outgoing, always volunteering. You need a helping hand? Yes, she was there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, the woman with a passion for history is a part of history herself.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like the pat on the back, you know, that she really needed for her whole life,\u201d Kirk said.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s an act of kindness that organ donation advocacy groups say is a decision made never too late.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can still be 97 years old and still be able to help somebody have a second chance of life and be around with their family and friends and enjoy their hobbies, just like Peggy enjoyed her hobbies,\u201d Jared Bedekovich of the Center for Organ Recovery & Donation<\/a> said.<\/p>\n Peggy\u2019s family made the trip from their homes in Florida the weekend of March 28 to honor and remember her memory.<\/p>\n \u201cHer mother was born here. Her mother was a Stanley lady, and she knew everybody in Altoona. Then she was born here, and I was born here. So it\u2019s just like she came back home, you know, after moving with my father\u2019s job, she ended up back here. I tried to get her to move to Florida, and she wouldn\u2019t,\u201d Kirk said. \u201cShe was a leader, hunting knowledge and always giving.\u201d<\/p>\n Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n To register to be an organ donor, click here<\/a>, or check yes at your next trip to the DMV.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n