Peggy Ann Richards

Peggy Ann Richards passed over on Thursday May 11 at the River Glen Nursing Home in Southbury, CT.  She leaves her loving spouse Judith Kelly who was privileged to share her life with Peggy for over fifty years. 

Peggy was born May 29, 1935 in Easton, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Kathleen (McCann) and Charles W. Richards.  She attended Hood College and graduated from East Stroudsburg State College. An extraordinary gifted and caring teacher and mentor to both children and adults.  Peggy taught in New Rochelle, Croton-Harmon and Larchmont, New York school districts.  An expert in the Open Classroom philosophy, she was affiliated with the Sarah Lawrence College “Art of Teaching” program, Lincoln Center and Teacher’s College Columbia University’s Aesthetic Education Programs.  She worked as a teacher trainer throughout the Westchester and Long Island school systems, as well as with the Humanistic Education Development Department, Albany, New York. An avid environmentalist, she also completed courses of instruction in Ecology at the National Audubon Society Center and participated in the Society’s Environmental Studies in Connecticut, Maine, and Wisconsin.  These experiences became a major part of her classrooms. 

At her retirement Peggy finally became a full-time Roxbury resident, settling into the home that she and Judith built in 1971.  She became active in the Roxbury Democratic Committee, Friends of The Roxbury Library - co-founding the Junior Friends of the Library, the Animal Welfare Society, Our Towns for Sar-e-Pol (Save the Children) and Kids Take the Stage for the New Milford School District. Peggy ran numerous programs for the Senior Center and until shortly before her death happily served as greeter and waitress for the Center’s “Soups On” lunch program.  She loved music and art, enjoyed golf and swimming and was a #1 Yankee fan!  Peggy lovingly cared for her family and leaves them all with an abundance of happy memories.

She leaves two brothers-in-law, Daniel Mason Kelly and wife Eileen of Somerset, MA. and Jeffrey Robert Kelly of the Villages, Florida; nephews Jason (Vicente), Nathan (Cathy), Damon (Vandana), niece Carrie Anne; great nephews and nieces Daniel, Torin,  Kieren,  Caroline and Grace and her goddaughter Ann Wells. Peggy’s numerous friends and colleagues, especially Chris, will remember her bright smile and kindness and how she was able to “impart wonder.”   Peggy’s feline “boys” Charlie and Jacob already miss her. The family would like to express special thanks to the compassionate staff at The River Glen Nursing Home for giving Peggy a warm and comfortable environment during her last weeks.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, June 10 at 11:00 am at the Christ Church Episcopal, 4 Wellers Bridge Road, Roxbury followed by a reception at Roxbury Town Hall.  Burial will be private.  Arrangements are by Munson-Lovetere.

 Service Information