If we are remembered by our actions, Irma Peoples ’44 was warmly regarded as being a good person and faithful to her beliefs in religion and education. She thought religion was essential to inject elements of compassion and truthfulness into young lives, and that education was the key to preparing youth for a useful, happy future.
Upon her passing in March 2023, Albright College was notified that it was a beneficiary in the centenarian’s will for an unrestricted bequest worth $700,000. Irma’s quiet and generous gift to the college will support her principles for generations to come and will underwrite areas where Albright needs it most.
“While a restricted bequest directs assets to a specific fund or purpose, an unrestricted bequest allows the college to determine how to use the funds based on its most pressing programmatic and academic needs,” said Brian Pinto, assistant vice president of major and planned giving.
Irma’s parents encouraged her education and attendance at Albright College during the years of WWII, when soldiers were also on campus. She remembered that the college had an excellent chef, and the food was always good.
Engaged in many campus activities and clubs, Irma served as vice president of Pi Alpha Tau Sorority, performed as first violin in the Albright Little Symphony and was chair of the Defense Council and of the special action committee of the YWCA. A star member of Albright’s field hockey team and member of the Women’s Athletic Association, the 1944 yearbook cited Irma as “The snappy little red head who is a terror to the goalie on the opposing hockey team.”
After graduating from Albright in 1944, Irma began a lifelong career of teaching in the Pennsylvania school system. She had many fond memories of the countless students she helped during her tenure — something that her gift will continue to do.
“By leaving her estate to Albright, Irma will forever help students on their journey to leading productive lives,” said Pinto. “Covering annual expenses for a team sport, providing operating funds or helping a student pay tuition are just a few of the flexible ways her legacy could be utilized. We are deeply grateful. I only wish we had been able to meet Irma while she was still with us to express our gratitude in person.”
