Margaret Hogan Stroup

Margaret "Peg" Stroup May 16, 1955 - July 2, 2024 

Peg was a witty son of a gun and held a memory in the form of a story for everyone she met. 

Born in Xenia, OH, raised in Huber Heights, OH, Peg was predeceased by her mother, Elaine T. Hogan, father, Edward "Mike" Stroup, and sister, Kathleen "Kate/Kathy" Kasper. Peg is survived by her two sons, Kevin Leaver and Kyle (Kayleigh) Leaver, three sisters, Michele Campbell, Nancy Burns, and Laura Stroup, and two nephews, Brian Burns and Alexandar "Alex" Campbell.

Peg can be best described as an enthusiastic enterpriser who set off into the world bustling to learn and accomplish as much as she could. She was an avid swimmer, so much so that, as a teenager, she received her Water Safety Instructor's certification for junior and senior lifeguard training. An accomplishment she continued to be proud of. She developed an eclectic passion for the arts in the form of pottery, canvas, silk embroidery, literature, dance, and music. She was a dancer, a pianist, and a bagpiper. She was most proud of her accomplishment of joining the Mystic Highland Pipe Band in the late 90s during which time she performed at multiple festivals including many marching parades throughout the northeast - often bringing the family in tow. She also became a Master Gardener, a passion that was most evident at her home but also heard in the form of calling out the names of plants and flowers as she passed by.

After accomplishing both her undergraduate and graduate studies at The Ohio State University, Peg developed an interest in exploring. She moved to Ithaca, NY to work at Cornell University. Thereafter, she moved to the shoreline of Connecticut where she kicked off her career, got married, and curated many passions and accomplishments.

Peg loved helping others. Shortly after arriving in Connecticut, she held a position with the Women's Center of Southeastern Connecticut, a position which she held for many years. Thereafter, she progressed into higher education where she held the position of Director of Business and Industry Services for the State of Connecticut at Three Rivers Community College for nearly 20 years. She was proud of her many accomplishments while at the college connecting businesses and the workforce for curriculum-based retraining across many industries in the private and public sectors. One particular career accomplishment she was proud of, and which aligned with her personal interest in travel, was when she had the opportunity, not once, but multiple times, to present papers of insights and recommendations at conferences in the U.S., Singapore, and France.

In her own words, her "proudest accomplishment was becoming a mother" in 1988; a joy that carried on through the rest of her life. Peg loved raising her two boys through many activities and events, and travels.

Obviously, Peg was not averse to change, so when she was presented with the opportunity of a lifetime to move the family to Shanghai, China in August 2002, she would later repeatedly share her initial response, "We're going!". Over the next year, she made lifelong friends and watched her sons do the same. She also extended her love for art to become a connoisseur of the Asian arts. She cherished our time abroad.

In her later years, Peg retired from a very successful career to spend more time with her sons, family, and many friends from the different eras of her life. In the fall of 2022, Peg moved to the Houston, TX area to live near her eldest son. Just weeks prior to her passing, she had both of her sons over for a visit when she learned she was going to become a grandmother.

This biography of Peg, although brief, encapsulates a woman with tremendous tenacity, many passions and stories, and much wisdom to share.

In the words of "Peg", "that'll do."

- Written through Kevin and Kyle, by Peg

A Catholic Memorial Service and Mass will be held at Christ the King Church in Old Lyme, CT on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 11 a.m. Immediately following will be a Celebration of Life gathering down the hallway of the church commons. H'ordeuvres and beverages (non-alcoholic) will be available.

In-lieu of flowers, donations can be made to "Safe Futures", formerly "The Women's Center", of New London, CT.