Maggi Kerr Peirce, with her roots in Belfast, Northern Ireland and her lifelong ties to the sea, was brought to the States. She anchored herself in the hearts of everyone who heard her stories. Maggi was a masterful storyteller, weaving tales that felt as timeless as the waves and as fresh as the wind. She had a way of drawing you in, her voice rich and melodic, inviting you to listen closely and feel deeply. She often said she wanted her stories to “wake people up to the beauty of their own lives.” And she did just that, time and again.
Born on August 1, 1931, in Belfast, Maggi’s early years were shaped by the city’s “singing streets.” From her youth, she was imbued with a love of words, music, and community. Her mother’s wit and wisdom stayed with her throughout her life—“They are the sheep, and we are the goats,” her mother once told her, offering an early lesson on questioning convention and staying true to oneself. Maggi carried that spirit into adulthood, always resisting doing things “simply out of social convention.”
Maggi’s journey took her across Europe as a young woman and later to Scotland, where she met her husband of 60 years, Kenneth S. Peirce, Jr. Together, they moved to the United States in 1964, eventually settling in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. There, Maggi found her community at the First Unitarian Church in New Bedford, where she became a cornerstone of both spiritual and artistic life. She was instrumental in running the TryWorks Coffee House for 20 of its 35 years, a space that fostered music, poetry, and storytelling—a place where she inspired countless young people with her trademark war cry, “Silence for the singer!”
Maggi’s storytelling career blossomed in the late 1970s when she performed at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Her tale “A Friend of My Father” became a touchstone for many listeners, showcasing her ability to bring personal and cultural history to life. She was a recipient of the National Storytelling Network’s Oracle Award for lifetime achievement, a testament to her profound impact on the storytelling community.
Maggi delighted in beginning tales for children as her father had done for her and her sister: “Once upon a time when the geese drank wine and the monkeys chewed tobacco up a tree…” Her honesty and blunt humor were legendary, as was her compassion. Her son fondly remembered a moment when he read a children’s poem aloud, and Maggi declared, “I’m Mrs. Nix,” identifying with a mischievous character in the poem. She never shied away from being her authentic self, even as she wrestled with the “little pilgrim on one shoulder” and her irreverent, free spirit on the other.
Liz Weir, a fellow storyteller, recalled traveling with Maggi to meet the Lord Mayor of Belfast and visit her old school, Strandtown. “Dear Maggi was a wonderful storyteller and folk singer,” Weir shared, “she was precious.” Jane Vieira, one of her “TryWorks kids,” described Maggi as “a huge, healing presence” who introduced her to the richness of folk traditions and remained a lifelong friend.
In her final days, Maggi’s indomitable spirit shone brightly. Hospitalized on Halloween 2024, she declared she felt “terrific”—grateful to have lived 10 years longer than expected. Visitors sustained her, and she welcomed their questions with a characteristic mix of cheer and candor. Maggi passed on December 4, 2024, at the age of 93, surrounded by the love of her family and the countless lives she had touched.
So, today, tell a story—one of Maggi’s, or one of your own. Let it travel, as hers did, far and wide, carrying with it the love and light she brought into this world.
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You can see more details on Maggi Kerr Peirce with the Story Artists Memorial.
By starting at 16:33 below, you can jump to Maggi Kerr Peirce’s story called “A Friend of My Father.” The clip below is supposed to get you there to hear her voice.
Do you know a Story Artist who has passed on and want others to remember them? Memories? Pictures? You can submit names and memories of Story Artists who have passed on through our online form.
I appreciate Maggi Kerr Peirce for being her authentic self despite that “inner pilgrim” that would tap her on the shoulder. She shared stories that could be hard to hear though necessary to explore and reflect upon. Maggi Kerr Peirce: a storyteller, a bridge-builder, a keeper of the flame. May her stories continue to live and inspire us all.
Maggi Kerr Peirce still has a story. You have a story. We all have stories.
Thank you for the lovely words about my dear mum.
She was a remarkable person, and it felt wonderful to honor her in some way. Thank you!