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originally published in the Observer Magazine, Summer 2006, Volume 33, Number 1

A Long Life Dedicated to Lifelong Learning
Margaret "Peg" Rochford Promoted Education with a Passion

by Peter H. Congleton

Despite the death of her father while she was attending Mount Holyoke College, Margaret Rochford, known to her friends as "Peg," graduated in 1935 with help from family friends. Peg was forever grateful for the support she received in college, and promoting education for others became a passion.

Peg began working in the Hartford area as an administrative assistant at an investment banking firm, a law firm, a church, and a radio station. During World War II, she worked for the director of Hillyer Junior College, Julius Augur, taking courses at Hillyer and driving ambulances for the Hartford Red Cross Business Women's Unit. Peg retired after a 39-year career as an executive secretary at Aetna but was active throughout her 92-year lifespan, enjoying horseback riding, boating, gardening, and long walks. She loved music, regularly attended Hartt School performances, and was a big fan of Jen Rizzotti and the Hartford Hawks women's basketball team.

Peg Rochford is remembered for her wry sense of humor, her feisty spirit, and her keen wit. She will be especially remembered for the permanently endowed funds she established, providing scholarships for women students, Hillyer students, and Hartt School musicians at the University of Hartford. Three charitable gift annuities - made in 1996, 1997, and 1999 - provided Peg with dependable income throughout her remaining years, and the residual principal was made available to the University shortly after she died at her home on April 14, 2006.

Although Peg did not seek public acclaim for her generosity, the Margaret "Peg" Rochford Memorial Scholarship Fund was established posthumously at the University of Hartford in her memory. Information about gift planning for the University of Hartford may be found on the University's Web site www.hartford.edu/giving/plannedgiving, and confidential inquiries may be made to our director of planned giving, Peter H. Congleton, at 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117.
Telephone: 860.768.2415
E-mail: congleton@hartford.edu

Published three times a year for faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents and friends of the university.

Published by the Office of Communications - University of Hartford
200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, Connecticut, 06117-1599.

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