Leahy Endowment Bequeathed Nearly $1 Million

Margaret C. Perez bequeathed nearly $1 Million to the Leahy Community Health and Family Center.

The University of Scranton accepted a bequeath of nearly $1 million from the estate of Margaret C. Perez to the Edward R. Leahy Jr. Endowment. Perez had known University benefactor Edward R. Leahy, J.D., for more than 60 years. From left: Jonathan Spohrer, J.D., executor of Perez’s estate; Leahy, former University Trustee and member of the Panuska College of Professional Studies Board of Visitors; Debra Pellegrino, Ed.D., dean of the University’s Panuska College of Professional Studies; and Monsignor John Jordan, member of the Panuska College of Professional Studies Board of Visitors.
The University of Scranton accepted a bequeath of nearly $1 million from the estate of Margaret C. Perez to the Edward R. Leahy Jr. Endowment. Perez had known University benefactor Edward R. Leahy, J.D., for more than 60 years. From left: Jonathan Spohrer, J.D., executor of Perez’s estate; Leahy, former University Trustee and member of the Panuska College of Professional Studies Board of Visitors; Debra Pellegrino, Ed.D., dean of the University’s Panuska College of Professional Studies; and Monsignor John Jordan, member of the Panuska College of Professional Studies Board of Visitors.

Margaret C. Perez, Bethlehem, had known Edward R. Leahy, J.D. ’68, H’01, for more than 60 years. She knew his wife, Patricia, and their late son, Edward Jr. She also knew of the work of the University’s Leahy Community Health and Family Center and Edward R. Leahy Jr. Center Clinic for the Uninsured housed in the Panuska College of Professional Studies. She was so impressed by its mission that she bequeathed a portion of her estate to the Edward R. Leahy Jr. Endowment at the University — a gift of nearly $1 million.

“Margaret, or Marge as we called her, was a good soul and a lifelong friend. She never said an unkind word to anyone and went to church nearly every day,” said Edward Leahy. “She had no children or living relatives, and when she passed away at the age of 88, she gave her entire estate to charities, including a portion to the Leahy Endowment at the University.”

Leahy said Perez visited the Leahy Community Health and Family Center years ago and was deeply moved by the compassionate service shown to people with disabilities. Shortly after her visit, she told Leahy of her intent to bequeath a portion of her estate to the endowment at the University.

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