Margaret M. "Peggy" Ignaczak's Obituary
Margaret (Peggy) Ignaczak, wife of Louis Ignaczak, passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at her home, surrounded by her family. She had breast cancer which was aggressively treated unsuccessfully over the past two years. Peggy was 77. Born to Joan and James Curry, she was proud of her Catholic education in Erie, PA. She graduated from the Villa Maria Academy Class of 1963 and the Villa Maria College Class of 1967 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She taught 5th grade as a Cadet Teacher (at the St. John the Evangelist grade school she attended) as part of her college education. In doing so, she was less than nine years older than her students when she started teaching. Besides Cadet Teaching, she worked hard as a waitress and a cashier in a grocery store to pay for her college education.
She did not teach for nearly 20 years after getting married, while raising a family of six children in N. Ridgeville, OH. She returned to teaching when all her children were in school, earning graduate credits as a Reading Specialist. She did some substitute teaching but mainly served as a full-time tutor to grade school students needing help in reading comprehension or any subject. She was known as “Mrs. I” to her young students. In retirement, she and her husband moved to Columbia Station, OH where she had her dream home built with lots of room for flower gardening. Although retired, she still did some tutoring and even home schooled a grandchild for a year.
After she retired from full time teaching, Peggy and Lou devoted more time to family. They especially enjoyed travelling this great country of ours. They were active members of the Baldwin Wallace Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) taking many classes and dozens of group trips. Their travels included three-week long drives out West and many trips to Charlotte, NC to visit family there.
Peggy was a great cook; she sought and improved upon several family favorite recipes from prior generations for her children and grandchildren to enjoy. Take-outs requests from her meals were routine. She enjoyed several craft hobbies, especially sewing, and was a hard-working gardener with an extensive annual flower display. She was very active in church functions serving as Lector, Eucharistic Minister and especially on Social Concerns activities.
Peggy is survived by her husband of 53 years, Lou and their five wonderful daughters Valerie Magyari (Eric), Jeneen Lane (Kenny), Natalie Ignaczak, Annie Ignaczak VanCuren (Robert), Julie Ignaczak, one talented and industrious favorite son Ronald Ignaczak. Additionally, she had eight amazing grandchildren: Alexa, Austin, Drew, Jay, Lily, Ava, Holden and Ellie. She is also survived by her devoted younger sister Joanne Carlburg who faithfully performed as a “guiding big sister” to Peggy.
Although always a teacher and tutor to students, her own children, and grandchildren, her greatest role was as mother and especially a grandmother. A special thank you to all those who sent hundreds of cards and prayers of encouragement during Peggy’s cancer ordeal. She maintained some normality in daily activities with everyone’s help and support up until her last weeks.
Memorial Mass Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter Church, 35777 Center Ridge Rd., N. Ridgeville, where family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Rev. Bob Cole will officiate. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Peggy's name to the Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110.
What’s your fondest memory of Margaret?
What’s a lesson you learned from Margaret?
Share a story where Margaret's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Margaret you’ll never forget.
How did Margaret make you smile?