Mihi vivere Christus est
For me, to live is Christ

With great sadness, we share that Sister Margaret "Peggy" Rooney '51, age 90, passed away on June 5, 2023 in West Hartford. 

A retired Religious Sister of Mercy (RSM), Sister Peggy left an indelible mark at Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall as an alumna, teacher, principal, and trustee. Born and raised in Trumbull, Peggy attended Lauralton from 5th-12th grade, graduating in 1951. She entered the convent and took her vows as a Sister of Mercy in 1952 in Madison. Upon earning her master's degree from Catholic University, Sister Peggy returned to Lauralton in 1961 to teach Latin. She served as Lauralton's principal (the first alumna to do so) from 1975-1987, during which time she built Lauralton's first administrative team.  A visionary leader, Lauralton experienced increased enrollment, academic expansion, professional and financial development, and athletic enrichment during her twelve-year tenure.

Honored with the Claven Award in 2004 for her dedication to our School, Sister Peggy continued to support Lauralton. She went on to serve as a trustee from 2011-2014 and was named trustee emerita for the 2015-2016 academic year. In 2012 Sister Peggy was named to Lauralton's Athletic Hall of Fame for – during her tenure as principal – adding new teams, overseeing the addition of a regulation-sized softball field, and ushering Lauralton into the CIAC (Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference) – a new era for our athletics program. The Lauralton Hall "Empowering Women for Life" hardcover book published in 2015 described Sister Peggy's tenure as a time "infused with new optimism... imbued with a spirit of service and friendship." 

We extend our deepest sympathies to Sister Peggy's family and the Mercy community, especially those who are also part of our Lauralton alumnae family including: her sister Patricia Rooney '54 RSM, her nieces Patty Rooney Winfield '78, Joan Rooney '80, Donna Rooney O' Hara '85, and Kate Rooney Ugarte '86; and her cousins Jane Roche Stegina '75, Kathryn Roche Fryer '79, Dave Roche P'02, P'06, and Kathryn Roche Herring '02; and grand-niece Jennifer Roche '04. Sister Peggy was preceded in death by her cousin Margaret Roche Ryan '74.

Gifts in honor of Sister Peggy can be made to the Rooney Family's Scholarship Fund which helps support a Lauralton education for a student in financial need. Gifts may be made HERE.  Please note "Sr. Peggy/Mildred Rooney Endowed Scholarship Fund" in the designation field.                       

As Lauralton completed its 80th year educating young women in June 1986, Sister Peggy said, "We have dedicated ourselves to planning, defining priorities and shaping our future because we know our traditions are not behind us but under us, the foundation and cornerstone to building that future with uncommon resolve."  We will remember Sister Peggy's dedication to our Mercy educational tradition which lives on in so many of us at Lauralton whom she inspired.