Margaret Kerry, the actress who provided the live action reference used for the animation of Tinker Bell for the Walt Disney classic animated feature film Peter Pan, has passed from this world to the next, a victim of lung cancer. She was 97.
Dear Friends of Margaret Kerry,
It is with profound sadness that we share news of the passing of Margaret Kerry (Boeke), our beloved Tinker Bell. Margaret passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on June 11, 2026, in Wilmington, North Carolina. Her three adoring children, Ellen, Christina and Eric, were with her as she lost her courageous battle with lung cancer at the age of ninety-seven.
Margaret asked us to post this photo of her and Tinker Bell when she passed. – Tinker Bell’s Gift Shop Staff: Linda Swisher and Sher Lancaster
Margaret’s beloved husband, Robert Boeke, also passed recently – on May 24th, 2026. Their love story was truly remarkable, having begun as sweethearts some seventy years ago – but separated by careers. Yet in 2019, the two reconnected to rekindle their love and enjoyed six wonderful years of marriage. It is like a fairy-tale to know that they passed so very close in time to one another—perhaps a testament to the love they shared.
Margaret was deeply grateful for the extraordinary life that she enjoyed and felt tremendously blessed by her loved ones and the countless friends and fans that she met along the way. Margaret wanted everyone to know that she was at peace and ready for this next journey in her life, secure in the knowledge that God was eager to bring her home, with Him, into heaven.
Margaret’s family asks that, in lieu of flowers, it would be so special for her friends and fans to make a donation in her name to Wilmington, North Carolina’s Thalian Association Community Theater at https://www.thalian.org/support-us/donate/.
And remember, on any given night, look up into the night sky and search for that “Second Star to the Right”. Upon closer look, you might just notice that star shining a little brighter in Margaret’s honor.
With love to an irreplaceable friend, talented entertainer and loving mother,
Tinker Bell’s Gift Shop Staff: Linda Swisher and Sher Lancaster
Margaret Kerry brought three generations a lifetime of happy memories, and life to one of the most beloved characters of all time. May she find her forever home in Neverland.
SCIFI.radio is listener supported sci-fi geek culture radio, and operates almost exclusively via the generous contributions of our fans via our Patreon campaign. If you like, you can also use our tip jar and send us a little something to help support the many fine creatives that make this station possible.
