Maggie Pelleyá, longtime GM of WDNA in Miami, died unexpectedly Tuesday, the station announced. She was 72.
“She worked tirelessly and gracefully to ensure that WDNA, community radio, and independent music grew in South Florida,” the station said on its website. “Maggie Pelleyá inspired and impacted countless artists, musicians, listeners, students, radio staff, hosts, and music lovers.”
Pelleyá was GM of the jazz station for more than 30 years and was among its first staffers. She began volunteering with the station in the ’80s.
“No other person has been such a consistent and determined force for protecting and growing this community radio station,” WDNA said. “… Few people can pull off this level of tenacity and passion with such poise, grace, and kindness, but she always did. She inspired and impacted so many.”
Maggie is survived by her husband Luis Wifredo Fernández, sons Wifredo “Wifi” Fernández and Diego Fernández and sister Maria “Mimi” Pelleyá. Her brother Jose Luis Pelleyá died in 2016.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to WDNA.
WDNA is also asking those who have memories or stories of Pelleyá to leave a voicemail on their listener comment line at 305-662-8889.
A memorial mass will be held May 24 at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine Church in Coral Gables, Fla.