Peggy Jean Izatt

Peggy Jean Izatt passed away unexpectedly July 17, 2012 in Salt Lake City at the age of 57. She was born on July 10, 1955 in Baltimore, Maryland to parents Jerald Ray and Mary Ann Louise (b. Fassler) Izatt. She attended public schools in Las Cruces, New Mexico and Quebec City, Canada. She graduated from Quebec High School and C.E.G.E.P. de Ste. Foy in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Utah and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Peggy’s formal education was accomplished in many places: New Mexico, Quebec Canada (where she faced the challenge of attending junior college in French), Massachusetts and Utah. She was the star player on her high school and junior college basketball teams, and played softball, racquetball and golf throughout most of her life. She remained a devoted sports fan for the rest of her life.

Peggy worked as a clinical psychologist for several institutions in New England and the Deep South. She ended her career as a consultant for JST Community Services in Salt Lake City. Her athletic prowess contributed to her professional success as she also taught courses in patient control and self-defense to fellow mental health practitioners. Her lifelong dedication to compassionate service also found expression in her personal life, where she was a dedicated advocate of women’s rights, gay rights and other movements to improve the lot of underprivileged segments of society.

Peggy’s hobbies included antique collecting, needle point and constructing period doll houses from which both she and those around her derived great pleasure. Peggy was a voracious reader and movie watcher and loved spending time with her sister.

Peggy loved children. When she visited her numerous nieces and nephews, who themselves spanned two generations, Aunt Peggy’s arrival always brought forth broad smiles and cries of joy. Her sense of humor was contagious. Although she suffered from a crippling and painful ankle injury for the last portion of her life, her good humor never flagged. She brought infectious wit, penetrating insights and joy into the lives of all who knew and loved her.

Peggy is survived by her parents Jerald Ray and Mary Ann Izatt of Salt Lake City; her siblings Richard A.(and Carole) Izatt of Madison, Alabama; James A. (and Mary Ann) Izatt of Layton, Utah; Nancy L. (and Greg) Bemis of Magna, Utah; Joseph A. (and Susan) Izatt of Raleigh, North Carolina; and numerous nieces , nephews and extended family.