A Mass to Honor the Life of Maggie Pelleyá
The Fernandez and Pelleyá family have requested a memorial mass to honor Maggie Pelleyá on Wednesday May 24th at 10am at St Augustine Church – 1400 Miller Rd, Coral Gables, FL 33146. Family, friends and the public are welcome to join them.
Born May 14, 1950, she was 72 years old when she passed away unexpectedly on May 9, 2023. Born in Havana, Maggie came to Miami at age 10 in December of 1960 to live with family friends. She would reunite with her mother a year later, while her father Jose Luis remained politically imprisoned in Cuba—he finally came in 1970.
Maggie began volunteering at WDNA-FM Community Radio in the early 80’s while she still worked at Delta Airlines. She hosted on air programs and became one of the station’s first full time staff members. She served as WDNA’s general manager from 1994 until her passing.
She worked tirelessly and gracefully to ensure that WDNA, community radio, and independent music grew in South Florida. Maggie Pelleyá paved the way for countless artists, musicians, listeners, students, radio staff, hosts, and music lovers. WDNA is able to continue on thanks to the strong community she helped to build and the incredible legacy she gifted us.
Maggie is survived by her husband of 45 years Luis Wifredo Fernández, sons Wifredo “Wifi” Fernández and Diego Fernández, Sister Maria “Mimi” Pelleyá. Her brother Jose Luis Pelleyá passed away in 2016.
Please read this beautiful obituary, written by Miami Herald’s Howard Cohen. It highlights the many ways Maggie Pelleyá changed south Florida while remaining committed to community.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please make a gift to WDNA in Maggie’s honor.
WDNA also invites you to leave us your memories and stories of Maggie and the impact she had on you.
Please leave a voicemail with your message on our Listener Comment Line: 305-662-8889.