INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Margaret "Peg" T. Leavitt, formerly of Adams, died Saturday, January 21, 2017.

Peg was born on December 20, 1941 in Greenfield, Mass., to Leon and Theresa Bagdon. She grew up on a farm in Western Massachusetts, where she helped raise and harvest crops ranging from cucumbers to potatoes to asparagus. She excelled in school and was a terrific athlete and blazed a trail for future generations of female athletes. She played a wide range of sports throughout her life, including semi-professional basketball and softball (even batting once against the famous pitcher, Joan Joyce, who later struck out Ted Williams). She was also on the national field hockey team in the 1960s. 

She graduated from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a degree in physical education and went on to teach physical education and coach women's basketball, soccer, track & field and cheerleading for over 20 years at South Hadley High School (South Hadley, Mass.) as well as Hoosac Valley High School (Adams, Mass.). She mentored and coached scores of young women, many of whom went on to become college athletes and coaches themselves.

In the early 1980s, her family moved to the south side of Indianapolis, Indiana, and she began her new career as the ASVAB Test Coordinator at the Indianapolis Military Entrance Processing (MEPS) center, continuing her life's work of educating and guiding students. She retired from MEPS in 2007 after 20 years of distinguished service.

Throughout her life, she remained an avid sports fan and after moving to Indianapolis, became a fan of Indy cars and NASCAR as well. She also loved to travel and was able to accomplish one of her dreams of visiting Alaska with her husband during retirement. She also loved to go to casinos to play slots, collect Department 56 houses and plush animals (especially Boyds Bears) and had a special place in her heart for all animals - especially her pet dogs and cats throughout the years. She was a loving, kind woman who was physically tough and mentally strong and she will be greatly missed.

Predeceased by her parents, she is survived by her husband of 50 years, Thomas O. Leavitt ; her daughter, Laura L. Leavitt, and her partner, Tony Walesby; two sisters, Janet Ogrodnik (Robert) and Katie Matuszko (Ronald);one brother, Robert Bagdon (Julie); two nieces, Megan Cichy and Tracey Matuszko; two nephews Brian Matuszko (Alissa) and Jason Ogrodnik (Emma); and two grand-nieces, Mikayla and Victoria.

Flowers may be sent to the Little and Sons funeral home in Indianapolis, Ind. Donations can be made in her name to PatriotPaws or the American Heart Association.