About Peggy

Peggy was born to John Jennings & Bridget ("Bessie") Gallagher Jennings, on July 24, 1921, in Englewood, NJ. John and Bessie had emigrated from County Sligo, Ireland, to the USA: John to Boston and Bessie to Philadelphia. In 1916, they married at the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, NYC, and they were the parents of John, Thomas ("Emmet"), Peggy, Vincent, and Francis. As a child Peggy lived in Palisades, NJ, and she graduated from Epiphany Catholic Elementary School, Grantwood (Cliffside Park), NJ. The family moved to Spring Lake Heights, NJ, and in 1938, Peggy graduated from St. Rose High School, Belmar, NJ.

Peggy entered nursing training in the St. Vincent Hospital, NYC, and in 1941, she completed training at St. Vincent and began service as a Registered Nurse in the OR of Holy Family Hospital, Brooklyn, NY. In 1942, Peggy entered the US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant and during World War II, Peggy provided nursing care on the US Army Hospital Ship Seminole. The Seminole transported wounded soldiers from Europe back to the USA. Peggy made 11 round trips on the Seminole, crossing the Atlantic 22 times. In 1945, Peggy was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant. The Asbury Park Press, "Turning Point" article profiled Peggy's WWII service (APP, September 17, 2000, p. J1.), and on August 16, 2015, at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans' Cemetery, Arneytown (North Hanover Township), Peggy was presented with a Governor's Citation for her WWII service. (The Coast Star, September 3, 2015, p. 33.)

Peggy and Lincoln ("Link") L. Manzi, a US Army Lieutenant decorated for valor in WWII, were married on February 16, 1946, in St. Catharine Church, Spring Lake, NJ. Thereafter, Peggy served as an R.N. in St. Clare's Hospital, NYC. Peggy and Link resided in Pennsylvania and New York before settling in Spring Lake where they raised their children: Lincoln ("Mick") Manzi, Jr., M.D. (Marlene); Bridget B. ("Bonnie") Manzi; Mary Manzi Tassini (John R. "Jack"); John D. Manzi, Colonel, USAF (Ret) (Tracy); Regina Manzi Egea (Emilio); and James J. Manzi (Jane). With Peg and Link's love and guidance, their children went on to distinguished careers, marriages, and parenthood. Peggy was the beloved grandmother of Marilyn, Michael, John, Catherine, Christopher, Zachary, Christina, Emilio, Lincoln, and Cornelia and great-grandmother of Martin, Charlie, Margaret ("Maggie"), and James.

With the children raised, Peggy served as Intake Administrator for Monmouth County Family and Children's Service in Brielle, NJ, and she worked in the offices of Monmouth Cablevision in Wall Township, NJ. Peggy spent her retirement years in Spring Lake and Riverbend CC, Tequesta, FL, where she was an avid bridge player and golfer. Peggy was predeceased by her parents, husband, siblings and grandson Michael. The family extends its thanks to the staff of Brandywine Living at Wall for the excellent end-of-life care provided to Peggy.