Peggy Jean (Sisk) Meszaros

Peggy Jean Sisk Meszaros, age 79, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2017 surrounded by family at her home in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.  Peggy was born in Hopkinsville on April 3, 1938 to the late Eugene Lee and Geneva Thomason Sisk, who both preceded her in death.

Peggy is survived by her two daughters, Lisa Kimberly Kriss and son-in-law Chuck of Emmitsburg, Maryland; Elizabeth Caroline Villarreal of Perry Hall, Maryland; one son Louis Todd Meszaros and wife Erin of Atlanta, Georgia; six grandchildren; Meaghan, Cameron, Andrew, Emily, Alex, Sophia; five great grandchildren, Taiylor, LilyElle, Jaxon, Courtland, Ella Rose; two brothers, Albert W. Sisk and wife Barbara of Hopkinsville; Eugene Lee Sisk Jr and wife Diann of Shelbyville, Kentucky.

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, Alexander Louis Meszaros, her sister Joyce Faulkner and her grand-daughter, Hannah Mackensie Kriss.

Peggy graduated from Hopkinsville High School, received her Bachelor degree from Austin Peay University, a master’s degree from the University of Kentucky and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland.

From Hood College to the University of Kentucky then Virginia Tech, Peggy’s passion for family sciences was the focus throughout her career.  She began as a Home Economics and science teacher at Koffman Middle School in Hopkinsville.  From 1968-1970, she was a family financial counselor in Frankfort, Germany.  Then the family moved to Omaha, Nebraska and Peggy served as a curriculum specialist in the Omaha Public School System.  Hood College in Frederick, Maryland was next from 1973-1977 where Peggy was the chair and associate professor of the Department of Home Economics.  After two years at the Maryland State Department, Peggy became The Associate Dean as well as a professor of the Home Economics Cooperative Extension at Oklahoma State University. Following this, she continued at OSU as a professor and the Director of Academic Affairs from 1979-1985.

From 1985 to 1993, Peggy served as the Dean of the College of Home Economics and professor of Family Studies at the University of Kentucky.  In 1993, she became the Dean of the College of Human Resources and professor of Family and Child Development at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.  She also served as the Senior Vice President and Provost from 1995-2000 at Tech, designating her as the highest-ranking female in the history of the school.

In 2000 and through 2015, Peggy became the founding Director of the Center for Information Technology Impacts on Children, Youth and Families.  Peggy was conferred the title of William E Lavery Professor Emerita of Human Development and Provost Emerita by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

Upon retiring from Virginia Tech in January of 2016, Peggy was elected as President of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association for the 2016-2017 year.  She was inducted into the UK Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 1995 and was a 2011 recipient of the prestigious UK Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award.

A memorial service will be held on May 13, 2017 at 11 am at Grace Episcopal Church, 216 E 6^th St, Hopkinsville, KY.  Inurnment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Siamese Cat Rescue Center, 366 Meander Run Road, Locust Dale, VA 22948.  https://va.siameserescue.org/VAdonate.php  Peggy’s latest loves and constant companions were Wookie and Leia, two rescues from the center.  Going forward they will reside in Emmitsburg, MD.

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