In a few short weeks, Sister Peggy O'Neill, RSM, will do something she actively avoids.
She will spend some time in the spotlight.
On Monday, Oct. 25, Sister Peggy, as she is affectionally known in the Mercy community, will be recognized as a Seton Award Recipient at the annual dinner at Lake of Isles in North Stonington.
For someone, defined by her quiet grace and contemplative nature, the extra attention is not something she would ever seek out, but it is certainly something she fittingly deserves.
After 63 years in Catholic Education, the limelight is not only due.
It is necessary.
Sister Peggy represents everything wonderful about our school, our community and catholic education, and we're beyond excited to see her recognized.
As we count down the days to the celebration, which will be attended by over 20 Mercy Faculty and Staff Members, and feature an introduction speech by President Alissa K. DeJonge '95, we wanted to provide a rundown of Sister's illustrious career as an educator and leader for young women.
During the nomination process for the award, DeJonge submitted this bio on Sister Peggy, and we thought it was fitting to share now as we take time to celebrate this one-of-kind woman, and critical part of our community.
The spotlight not be her cup of tea, but it is so well-earned and deserved.
Thank you, Sister Peggy.
About Sister Peggy O'Neill, RSM
Sr. Peggy O’Neill, RSM, lives a life shaped by faith, education and a quiet determination to serve others with both compassion and competence. Born and raised in Bridgeport, she is the youngest of five children in the close-knit family of Eugene and Anne O’Neill. Her siblings—Gene, John, Mary, and Ann—shared a home filled with warmth, faith and a deep sense of hospitality. One of her earliest memories captures the spirit of her childhood: the jubilant celebration at the end of World War II, when neighbors flooded the streets, banging pots and pans in collective joy. That sense of community would remain a defining thread throughout her life.
The O’Neill household was one where faith was not only taught but lived. Each evening, the family gathered to pray the rosary, grounding their days in reflection and gratitude. Visitors were always welcome at the dinner table, especially during holidays, reinforcing a lifelong commitment to hospitality. Sr. Peggy often reflects that her parents’ example—joyful, generous and rooted in faith—set the foundation for her vocation and her approach to service.
As a child, she developed a love for learning that was both broad and deep. She delighted in reading, solving puzzles and exploring all academic subjects, with a particular affinity for mathematics. Games like Monopoly and her natural curiosity nurtured analytical skills that would later define her professional path. She cherished time spent visiting with neighbors, further cultivating her appreciation for connection and community.
Her education was guided by the Sisters of Mercy at Sacred Heart Grammar School in Bridgeport and at the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall in Milford. Inspired by the Sisters’ kindness, joy and welcoming spirit—and joined in vocation by her own sisters Mary and Ann—Sr. Peggy felt a clear calling to religious life. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1959, professed her first vows in 1962, and made her final vows in 1965.
Central to her formation was the influence of Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, whose gentle strength, intelligence and practical effectiveness became a model for Sr. Peggy’s own ministry. These qualities define her decades-long career in education.
Sr. Peggy pursued her academic calling with dedication, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Diocesan Sisters College in Madison, Connecticut, and a Master’s degree in Mathematics Education from the University of Saint Joseph. She continued her studies with advanced coursework in mathematics education at the University of Connecticut, accounting at Central Connecticut State University, and statistics and technology at Wesleyan University—a testament to her commitment to lifelong learning.
Her teaching career began in 1963 at Saints Peter & Paul School in Waterbury, where she taught first and second grades. She went on to teach first grade at St. James School in Manchester before transitioning to secondary education. In 1968, she joined Mercy High School in Middletown as a mathematics teacher, beginning a long and transformative relationship with the school. She later taught at Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury before returning to Mercy in 1981.
It is at Mercy that Sr. Peggy’s vision and innovation endure. Recognizing the emerging importance of technology in education, she established the school’s first computer lab in 1983 and began teaching computer classes. By 1985, she introduced computer systems into the main office, confidently asserting, “we can do this.” Her forward-thinking approach led to the full computerization of scheduling, attendance, report cards and transcripts by 1986—effectively creating the role of Registrar before it was formally defined.
Beyond the classroom and office, Sr. Peggy contributed to the growth and development of Mercy institutions through her work on building committees, both at The McAuley in the 1980s and at Mercy High School from the 1990s through the 2010s. Her ability to combine vision with practical execution made her an invaluable leader in these efforts.
Throughout her life, Sr. Peggy has remained guided by the values instilled in her early years: faith, gentleness, service and a determination to “get the job done.” She credits her parents, her siblings and the Sisters of Mercy for shaping her path, and she has given immeasurably to the educational and spiritual life of her community.
From a young girl solving puzzles at the family table to a pioneering educator and leader, Sr. Peggy O’Neill faithfully uses her gifts to serve others. She exudes quiet excellence, unwavering faith and a profound commitment to making a difference—one student, one system and one act of kindness at a time.