Obituary of Margaret G. French

Peg French died peacefully in the Atrium at The Village at Penn State in the arms of her ever-loving husband, Joe French, on May 5, 2016. Peg's exuberance, compassion, and devotion were true forces of nature that brought joy and expanded awareness to all who knew her. Aptly nicknamed "The Duchess of Doing" by colleagues in Penn State's School of Theater, Peg was always up to something – entertaining, enlightening, playing on and off stage, or working to make the world a better place. A vivacious hostess, Peg loved entertaining – bridge clubs, graduate student picnics, cast parties to celebrate opening and closing nights, pool parties, holiday celebrations with friends and family - were all organized with her special knack for making all feel welcome. She often opened her home to stranded students for a home cooked meal, including many Thanksgivings. Peg graduated from Elgin High School in Elgin, IL in 1947. She played French horn in the orchestra and was active in the Drama Club, which proved to be a lifelong passion. Peg went to Illinois State University where she met and married Joe, had a leading role on the main stage each year and had her first child. They moved to Lincoln, NE and to Columbia, MO as the family grew to include four children before settling in State College in 1964. Upon moving to State College the family joined the University Baptist Church (now University Baptist and Brethren Church) where she sang in the choir over 40 years, directed youth pageants, and participated in formal and ad hoc church committees. She became the first woman chair of the Board of Deacons well before most Baptist women nationwide could serve on such a Board. She was elected Moderator, a leadership role representing the congregation in church meetings, in the year before an illness severely limited her activities. Ad hoc committee membership included one known as the controversial Pew Committee that determined, among other things, that the enlarged sanctuary should have moveable, not stationary, pews which would enable various arrangements for special programs to include dance, plays, special services, and pacing pastors. Politically, Peg supported peace initiatives, as well as human and civil rights for all throughout her life. At various times Peg served as Cub Scout Den Mother, Pink Lady volunteer at Centre Community Hospital, Assistant Teacher at the Park Forest Methodist Church pre-school for children of low income families, Friends of Schlow Library Vice Chair for its last major community fund raising campaign, packer for Meals on Wheels, and she supported a wide variety of artistic endeavors in the State College community. She received the 1995 Legends Award from the Nittany Valley Symphony, narrated several of their concerts for children, and directed actors in their first few musical theater productions. Beloved by audiences throughout the Centre Region and beyond, Peg was active in State College Community Theater (Boal Barn) in the 1970's before becoming a member of Actors' Equity, the union representing professional performing artists. Peg acted in 15 community theater plays and musicals at the Barn, 20 Penn State productions as an amateur, and 47 professional regional theater shows. Among her favorite professional credits were Arsenic and Old Lace (performed with Helen Manfull in 3 states), Driving Miss Daisy (in three different Pennsylvania theaters), Quilters, Glass Menagerie, and Ah, Wilderness. Peg enjoyed numerous roles in the Boal Barn Playhouse, including Take Me Along (her first musical after 21 years "off the boards" for homemaking and motherhood), Hello, Dolly!, 40 Carats, 70-Girls-70, and Fiddler on the Roof – a role reprised three times in regional professional theaters. Film credits include Philadelphia, On the Yard and several Snapshots for Coronet Films of Chicago. She appeared in Evening Inquires on public TV, an episode in the CBS TV series Hack, and several educational series including On Your Own. Peg earned an MFA in Acting from The Pennsylvania State University in June 1981. The morning paper featured a commencement story with the headline Oldest Graduate Has Highest GPA, one appreciated more by her family than Peg. She was an Assistant Professor in Penn State's School of Theater, College of Arts and Architecture for 16 years. Peg loved teaching acting and script analysis, often expressing her admiration for students' and colleagues' creativity, exuberance and dedication to the craft. Her parents, Dorothy and Weldon Gallagher of Elgin, IL, brothers Mike Gallagher of Mesa, AZ, brother Jim Gallagher of Monmouth, OR, and son, Jeff French of New York City, predeceased Peg. Surviving are sister-in-law Pat Gallagher of Monmouth, OR, brother John (and Shirley) Gallagher of Mesa, AZ, husband of 65 years, Joseph L. French, and children Jane French (and Gary) Brubaker of State College, John (and Guenet) French of Orlando, FL, Jim (and Lynne) French of State College, six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many cherished friends. In lieu of flowers gifts may be made to the French Undergraduate Award in Theater, College of Arts and Architecture, 1 Old Main, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802 or to the Alzheimer's Disease Research Foundation, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871. A memorial service will be held May 14, 2016 at University Baptist and Brethren Church. The service will begin at 2:00 PM, followed at 3:00 by a reception celebrating Peg's life. Online condolences may be left for the family at kochfuneralhome.com.