Peggy Ferro, 59, of Temple Terrace, passed away Sunday, September 23rd, peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer.

Born in Winter Park, Florida, June 3, 1959, to Alvin J and Patricia A Ferro, Peggy spent her formative years in her hometown of Larchmont, NY. After graduating from Mamaroneck High School (NY), she moved to Tampa graduating from University of South Florida (Fontana Hall Rules!). In 1982, she started her life-long career and passion as an educator and administrator at Willis Peters Exceptional Center (formerly the Dover Exceptional Center). To see Peg in her element was to witness her in the classroom, and her love for her students was always her first priority. Peggy never lost her devotion to them. She was a relentless defender of her kids and fought every day to make sure they had what they needed to succeed.

Peg always kept the traditions of the center alive. She was a driving force to celebrate Thanksgiving for the students, many of which had never experienced the holiday. Homemade foods of all types, and fresh turkey turned into one of the highlights of the school year. One of Peg's many achievements, and certainly one of her proudest, was being a key coordinator and liaison for the construction of the school playground. She worked tirelessly to secure outside donations, line up contractors who donated both time and material and so much more. To this day it is considered a shining example in Hillsborough county for playground construction. Peggy also developed the connection with Berkeley Preparatory School for a highly successful community service program that empowered and positively changed the lives of the thousands of students.

Even though Peggy's house was in Temple Terrace, her home was the Gulf Coast. Her love of the beach never grew old and she and her incredible group of life-long friends could be found every chance they had on the white sands of Indian Rocks Beach and Long Boat Key. Her endless group of friends celebrating milestones large and small or just the random weekend. It never got old.

While Peg never married, she was a second mother, friend and confidant to Justin, Jamie and Colin Boss. Their love knew no bounds and her devotion to these three was fierce and without judgement. She loved all her nieces and nephews, but there was a bond here that lasted a lifetime. Peggy was also incredibly close with her six siblings. Peacemaker, family reunion planner and cheerleader to them all for their many accomplishments. This is a direct result of her being left handed like her brother Bob.

One cannot write something like this without mentioning the friendships of just some of the many who were always there for Peggy as she was for them over the years. Of particular her dear Willis Peters friends including Amy, Maria and Sarah. And of course Anne Wissner and Tony Hudzik. All of these amazing people, and others helped Peg with her battle. They are the definition of true friends.

Peggy was predeceased by her parents, Alvin J. Ferro and Patricia A Ferro. She is survived by her siblings Maryanne (Ferro) Smith, her husband Steve, of Utica New York their children Mark Smith, Kelly Smith-Holbourn, husband Trevor Smith-Holbourn, all of Brooklyn, NY; Daniel Ferro, his wife, Anne Ferro of Annapolis, Maryland, their children Finley Ferro of Charleston, SC and Patrick "Packy" Ferro of Annapolis, MD; Kathleen (Ferro), her husband Ralph Martinez of Aiken, South Carolina, their son Christopher Martinez and his wife Emeric Martinez of Lexington, South Carolina, And Stephanie Martinez of Aiken, South Carolina, Cindy (Ferro) Boss, husband Bob Boss of Temple Terrace, FL and their children, Justin Boss, Jamie Boss and Colin Boss, all of Temple Terrace, Florida; Bob Ferro, his wife Nancy of Westbrook, Maine and their daughter Callie Dutton of Barcelona, Spain, Michael Ferro, his wife Sue and their children Caroline and Matthew all of Wilton, Connecticut, stepmother Helen Adams of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and step-sister Kristen Murphy and her husband, Jim of Rye, NY.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you raise a glass of your favorite beverage and toast this most remarkable woman!