Margaret and Thomas McGarvey

Margaret “Peg” McGarvey was generous with her time, talent and treasure over the years. It was important to her that she and her family continue a legacy of giving in support of the community and projects she loved. Peg shared often over the years her desire to establish a McGarvey Family Fund at the Community Foundation. To honor Peg’s life and her wish to establish a family fund, Peg’s husband, Tom, and their three children decided to establish the Margaret and Thomas McGarvey Family Fund in 2009.

“Peg had been on the Foundation board of directors, enjoyed it, and felt that the board had a genuine interest in Waterloo and Northeast Iowa”, Tom shared. “She wanted to support the area in future years and felt that the Foundation provided the reliability and accountability for the funding of projects over the coming years.

” Margaret “Peg” Anne Zeis was born to Dr. Robert Herschel and Anne Marie Zeis on Oct.17, 1942, in Kenton, Ohio. She attended St. Mary’s College at Notre Dame and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech pathology from the University of Denver. Peg went on to get a master’s degree in speech pathology from the University of Iowa, where she met Tom.

Tom, the son of Dorothy and Paul McGarvey (after Paul died, Dorothy married Kirk Gross), graduated from Waterloo West High School in 1958, from Notre Dame in 1962 and from the University of Iowa Medical School in 1966.

Tom and Peg were married at Immaculate Conception Church, Kenton, Ohio, June 18, 1966. Tom had a one year internship from 1966 to 1967 at Los Angeles County General Hospital, Unit 1; did his medical residency in Iowa City from 1967 to 1971; and served in the United States Army from 1971 to 1973. Tom and Peg’s three children, Mike, Andy and Kate, were born while living in Iowa City. The family moved to Waterloo in 1973 and Tom started his medical practice at Waterloo’s Surgical and Orthopedic Association. Later, Tom served as a doctor with the Cedar Valley Medical Specialists P.C. until his retirement.

Peg began her career as a member of the Cleft Palate Research Team at the University of Iowa Hospitals. She went on to become a supervisor of clinical practice in the Department of Speech Pathology at the University of Northern Iowa and developed a private practice in speech pathology in Waterloo, specializing in work with children. She continued her work with youth in Waterloo as director of the community leadership program, Young Leaders in Action. Peg also spent many years focusing on her most beloved work, raising her own three children.

Peg was a dedicated community volunteer, serving various boards and organizations, including Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, Leadership Investment for Tomorrow, Teen Trust and the Cedar Valley United Way.

Peg was active at St. Edward’s Church, serving on both the board of education and parish council. In 1995, she received a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University in New Orleans. She used this to serve the parish of St. Edward’s as co-coordinator of religious education and numerous volunteer positions and committees. She also consulted with the Diocese of Dubuque Metropolitan Tribunal and served on several diocesan committees.

Above all Peg was a loving wife, a supportive mother and dear friend. She enjoyed travel with family and friends, was an avid reader and active tennis player. She also treasured time at the family cabin on Spider Lake, Hayward, Wis., where she enjoyed family meals, relaxing on the porch, and fishing with her children and grandchildren.

As one friend shared, “Peg’s home was beautiful and always open to friends and family. But what I remember most is the warmth and comfortable feeling one had at parties hosted in the McGarvey home and, of course, the very large Christmas tree that lit up their family room each December.”

Peg passed away after a long battle with cancer on June 2, 2009. The McGarvey legacy will live on through their children, generation after generation, as well as through the grants that will be made each year from the Margaret and Thomas McGarvey Family Fund.