Peggy Cooper Cafritz, influential DC arts and education patron, dies

Peggy Cooper Cafritz, known for her contributions to the D.C. art scene and her tenure as D.C. School Board president died on Feb. 18 at 70-years-old from complications with pneumonia. (Courtesy Mayor Muriel Bowser via Twitter)((Courtesy Mayor Muriel Bowser vi)

WASHINGTON — Peggy Cooper Cafritz, known for her contributions to the art scene in D.C. and her six-year tenure as D.C.’s school board president, died Sunday, Feb. 18 at the age of 70.

Cafritz had complications with pneumonia, according to The Washington Post. She also had numerous health problems over the years, including back surgeries and a gallbladder operation that resulted in an 11-day coma.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser tweeted about Cafritz’s death Sunday morning.

Today, we mourn the loss of Peggy Cooper Cafritz, one of Washington’s most inspiring and generous visionaries and activists.
Her legacy will be felt by generations to come.

We pray for and send our condolences to Peggy’s family and friends. pic.twitter.com/2ZwdIW9fvE
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) February 18, 2018

“Today, we mourn the loss of Peggy Cooper Cafritz, one of Washington’s most inspiring and generous visionaries and activists. Her legacy will be felt by generations to come. We pray for and send our condolences to Peggy’s family and friends,” Bowser said.

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