THE MARGARET LAVOIE MEMORIAL FUND

The family and friends of Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater and Youth Ballet lost a wonderful and warm member of their community in March of 2006. Margaret Ann Lavoie, fondly known as “Peggy” has left an indelible mark on our community, as well as touched the lives of students, faculty and parents with her endless generosity of heart and time.

Peggy Lavoie was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and was educated in Manchester where she graduated from the Sacred Heart School of Nursing in 1955. In 1958 she married William “Bill” Lavoie and together they had two daughters, Peggy and Trisha. Peggy and Bill resided in Bedford most of their life.

Peggy began her nursing career as an office nurse for Doctors Richmond, Connors and Snow. She worked at the Sacred Heart Hospital and became head nurse in the newborn nursery. She also was a school nurse for the Bedford School System. In 1980 Peggy began working for the American Red Cross and later became a charge nurse for the “Bloodmobile.” In 1993 Peggy retired from the American Red Cross.

In 1996 when Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater opened its doors, Peggy soon became known as “the lady at the front desk.” She answered the phone, helped many parents find the “right class” and from time to time “nursed” the injured toes and ankles of our budding ballerinas. Backstage she spent endless hours keeping parents and young ones organized and calm. Peggy touched the lives of many. Her caring, loving and thoughtful spirit will always be with us.

It is with profound respect for her loss that the Margaret Lavoie Memorial Fund was established in April of 2006. The Memorial Fund will provide a tuition scholarship to a student who best exemplifies the qualities that Peggy most admired: character, integrity, responsibility and leadership. This award will be announced and presented each year at Southern NH Dance Theater’s Year End Performance. Nominated and chosen by the faculty of Southern NH Dance Theater, the recipient of the Scholarship will be awarded full tuition for the following school year.

Contributions to the Margaret Lavoie Memorial Fund can be mailed to: SNHYB, P.O. Box 10286, Bedford, NH 03110.