It was with great sadness that we learned that Peggy passed away on Friday 18th July 2014 at the grand age of 102 years. The funeral took place in the small alpine village of Gryon, where she had lived for over 50 years and was attended by close family, friends and colleagues.
We all have memories of Peggy. I remember her as a charismatic and energetic person, who loved life, loved her work and was dedicated to her students, their wellbeing, their success and her role in that process. She loved people, working with people, challenging people and just getting to know people. She became almost an icon within the counselling, careers and guidance profession where her influence was felt world-wide. When the CIS Higher Education Services decided to establish an award to recognize and honor a member of the college counselling community they were to name it the ‘CIS Peggy Templeton Strong Award`. For as long as she could Peggy attended the presentations during the annual CIS Forum on International Admissions and Guidance.
Although Peggy has now begun a different journey, her influence will remain with so many of us who have known her; her humor; her professionalism; her fortitude and tenacity to hold on to what was right; her kindness, her warmth of personality, her worldliness and just being who she was... a wonderful person.
Terence Gale
Peggy Templeton-Strong made an honorary member of SGIS
Peggy Templeton-Strong celebrated her one-hundredth birthday on March 1st, 2013. At the Gala Dinner, held in Leysin, on March 8th, during the Annual Conference, Honorary Member, Bill Lovell, reminded those present of this special occasion and the assembled guests raised their glass to wish her continued good health.
Following university and teacher training, Peggy came to Switzerland in 1953 as an au-pair for a family friend. Later she taught at a private Finishing School in Pully for eleven years before joining Brillantmont as the Director of Studies; a position she held for many years before taking over the College Counselling position. In total, Peggy worked at Brillantmont for thirty years.
Peggy served as Chair of the SGIS on two separate occasions during the 1980’s and introduced Saturday workshops, with guest speakers in the mornings and skiing sessions in the afternoon.
In 1981 Peggy was elected to the ECIS College Counselling Committee, the following year she became Chairperson, a position she held until she retired in 1995, aged 87 years. Even at the age of 92, Peggy was to be found advising students at College Beau Soleil.
On May 16th, 2013 honorary member Geoff Tomlinson, visited Peggy at her mountain home in the tiny village of Gryon. He found her in robust good health and able to cope well on her own, though her failing eyesight prevents her from reading and makes letter-writing difficult.
Peggy was justifiably made an honorary member of SGIS and the photograph shows Peggy holding her plaque, of which she said she was very proud.