Leahy Endowment Given Bequeath of Nearly $1 Million

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 of Scranton’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, and 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 life-long 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.

The Edward R. Leahy Jr. Endowment was founded by Edward and Patricia Leahy to honor the life and memory of their son, Edward R. Leahy, Jr., whose personal disabilities were attended to with compassion and skill by many health professionals over the course of his life. The endowment provides financial resources to support theoretical and applied research, faculty development, and support for programs that advance the cause of disabled persons who need long-term assistance.

The Panuska College of Professional Studies houses occupational therapy, physical therapy, kinesiology, counseling and human services, health administration and human resources, nursing and education. Every graduate of PCPS completes a community-based learning requirement for service.  In addition, PCPS houses the Leahy Community Health and Family Center with four clinics in medicine, physical therapy, counseling and low vision, and the Alice V. Leahy Food pantry, University of Success program and the new center of Autism.

Perez was born in 1930 in Allentown to the late Manuel and Terrsa (Yllanes-Lugris) Perez. She worked for 47 years with Western Electric, Bell Laboratories and Lucent, before retiring in 1995. She was a member of St. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, Bethlehem. She died in March of 2018.