Many NC State and OIT colleagues and friends were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jeanne Peck, who passed away peacefully at home of lymphoma on January 18, 2009, surrounded by family and friends. Jeanne, an assistant director of OIT’s Enterprise Application Services, was a 25-year employee of NC State. As a breast cancer survivor, Jeanne was also a committed activist for breast cancer awareness and research. Jeanne founded the NC Triangle Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which last year was recognized as the top Komen affiliate in the world.

Jeanne “touched a remarkable number of lives through her work here at State as well as with her efforts in organizing the Triangle’s Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure” said Gwen Hazlehurst, director of Enterprise Application Services. “She started the Triangle Race for the Cure in 1997, and in 2008, with almost 25,000 people participating, it raised approximately $2 million for breast cancer research. Even as she battled cancer over the last 15 months, her always-present smile and positive attitude brightened any room she entered. Needless to say, she will be sorely missed by those of us who knew her.”

An article in the Raleigh News & Observer and Jeanne’s obituary are among the public remembrances of Jeanne Peck’s life and contributions.

The NC Triangle Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has created a new “Spirit of Komen” fund in Jeanne Peck’s honor. “This fund will support community grants that have a specific focus on areas that were particularly important to Jeanne.” For more information and to share memories of Jeanne, visit their Web site at http://www.komennctriangle.org/