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For the past 20 years, Peggy Liggett, ’61, has enjoyed a successful career as an agent with Laura McCarthy Real Estate. She followed that path, however, after a long tenure in higher education, as both an administrator and an instructor.

A member of Maryville’s Class of 1961, Liggett was among the last to graduate from the original St. Louis city location. During those years, she met her husband, the late Hiram Liggett, who went on to become a vice president for Brown Group. He also held a seat for 19 years on Maryville’s Board of Trustees—serving as chairman for six years.

Peggy Liggett, ’61, has been named a 2015 Ageless Remarkable St. Louisan

After receiving her BA in English from Maryville, Liggett earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in musicology from Washington University. For more than 20 years, she was an adjunct music instructor in Maryville’s Weekend & Evening College.  She recalls professional development sessions for instructors held prior to each semester.

“They provided teaching workshops, recognizing that people have different learning styles,” Liggett recalls. “It was invaluable for me, and taught me how to put together courses and syllabi. It served me well the rest of my teaching career.”

Liggett later became associate dean of academic affairs at Fontbonne, where she established the OPTIONS College for non-traditional learners, and taught music.

After retiring from higher education, Liggett landed in real estate. One of her specialty areas is helping senior sellers move into smaller homes, adult communities, or assisted living.

“Working in real estate allows me use a lot of my skills. Listening and research is an important part of my job,” she says. “And I appreciate that you can make friends for life in this business.”

Successful multitasking, smoothing the way for transitions and building relationships have always been hallmarks for Liggett. Those characteristics, she says, stem from her Sacred Heart education, which began when she was 10 years old and left Cleveland, Ohio, to board at what was then the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, Ill. “The Sacred Heart tradition bubbles up through everything I’ve done. To me, that tradition says values and integrity,” she says.

An accomplished horsewoman since childhood, Liggett owns a Tennessee Walker mare, named Bad News Betty, which she continues to ride on trails.

Liggett is a board member of two non-profit organizations that support young artists: the St. Louis Chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters and the Artist Presentation Society.

In honor of her professional success, volunteerism and vitality, Liggett has been named a 2015 Ageless Remarkable St. Louisan by St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors.

This alumni story was first published in the Fall 2015 edition of Maryville Magazine.