Snyder Peggy 2006
Peggy Snyder reports that 'Life is Beautiful'!

Having been chosen the girl 'Most Likely to Succeed' of our class, you may suspect that I've not done so well when you consider that I have been fighting cancer for the last 6 years and, since 1980 have been severely handicapped from injuries I sustained in a helicopter crash at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C., where I live.  
Think what you will.  I assure you that my life keeps getting better and more 'successful' every day.
I graduated from UT as a 'Torchbearer' in 1970 and moved to Manhattan, the Big Apple.  I lived across the street from the United Nations where I worked as a guide.  I enjoyed everything the City offered:  I attended the ballet, opera and theater in Central Park.  Special perqs came with being a UN Guide.  I was invited to diplomatic functions and special lectures as well as Ambassadorial Galas.  Participation in the international social and political life of the City was interesting, exciting and wonderful fun.

In 1973, I won a Rotary Fellowship and went to live in France for a year of post-graduate work.  This was a childhood dream come true.  Even if some may think it not 'politically correct', I gladly admit that I became a true Francophile.

Back in the States, I received my Juris Doctor degree from UT Law School, and was admitted to the Tennessee, Virginia and D.C. Bars.  I was invited, as an Honors Law Graduate, to practice at the U.S. Department of Justice in the Civil Rights Division.  I tried cases in Federal Courts from Cleveland, Ohio, to Selma, Alabama; from Yonkers, NY, to Tyler, Texas.  Some of my best stories come from a drawn out case in Mississippi where the KKK seemed to enjoy trying to intimidate me.  They some how found out about my travel plans and would show up-in full klan regalia-to meet me at the little local airport.  Lucky for me, my friends in the FBI office there always arrived in advance to welcome me and escort me to my motel where they would take rooms near mine-just in case!

Some of you may know about the helicopter crash in 1980 that ended my trial-lawyer career at Justice.  Although disabled with a serious spinal injury, I still tried to make the most of my 'down' time.  I chaired the DC segment of a worldwide UNICEF project; was elected President of the city-wide Federation of Citizens Associations: helped organize charitable fund-raisers; produced a video about the problems of the homeless which was the feature at another fund-raising event.  I even managed a 3 year period as General Counsel and Executive Director of a non-profit professional organization, The Communications Fraud Control Association (CFCA).  Begun by the major telephone companies to try to control theft of long-distance services, This international association expanded to include Secret Service Agents and Interpol and deals with many of the criminal activities of: ' hackers', 'phrackers' and 'phone phreaks' that attempt to steal communication services.  I think you get the picture:  I've stayed busy and involved in the diverse and interesting life of Washington, DC.

Then one night, a cocktail party, the most wonderful thing in the world happened to me:  I met 'Mr. Right', Gary S. Smithwick.  He was and is a great looking, successful lawyer.  At the time, he drove a red convertible Maserati, had a fabulous bachelor's pad in the middle of Georgetown and most importantly, he was interested in me.  We married in 1988 and the honeymoon continues.  Gary came with two almost-adult children who 'adopted' me.  They even send me cards and gifts on Mother's day.  We now have four grandchildren who shower me with such love and attention that it's apparent they don't distinguish between 'step' and 'real' grandparents.

Unfortunately, we lost my father to cancer in 1985.  My wonderful mother, who is 82, still gets on a jet to fly wherever she is needed to take care of me.  I am so fortunate in that.  My brothers, Paul and Jim, with whom I have always been very close, are doing well and prospering.

In the Winter, we reside in Southwest Florida, having grown 'allergic: to the cold and wet 'up North'.  Until I began treatment, in 2000, for breast cancer, we enjoyed sailing and scuba diving in the Caribbean, skiing out West and traveling anywhere in the world.  (Just in case Ms. Turner is somehow listening in, I would like to add that we also like to read and to attend culturally enriching events)

We thought the cancer was dead and gone but, in late 2004, metastatic disease was found in my liver.  Weekly chemotherapy has really slowed me down but this cancer is NOT going to get me.  Last October, we visited our French friends in Nice and cruised from Monte Carlo to Barcelona; we've just returned from a fun trip to the West; and, all winter, we have been enjoying visits from our friends who come to sunny Florida to escape the cold.

As you can see, I have been very lucky; I would dare to say 'SUCCESSFUL'.  Life has been good to me.  I sincerely hope that the rest of the 1966 Class will be reporting the same.

Let's keep on going, WILDCATS!!!
Posted By: NS Administrator - 02-22-2016
Views: 1360