Peggy O’Neil Hanrahan, age 83, of Cape Coral Fla., formerly of Mentor, died May 15, 2010, in Cape Coral.

She was born Aug. 7, 1926, in Danville, Ill., to the late Hugh Ralph and Marie (McEwen) O’Neil.

She was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Mentor.

Mrs. Hanrahan retired in 1989, as principal of Mentor High School in Mentor. Her professional accomplishments included receiving her doctorate from Kent State University in 1970. She was a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), Delta Kappa Gamma, Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi and Alpha Lambda Delta.

She served the following organizations and committees beginning with National Panel on the High School of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Advisory Council of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, served on the Review Group for Revision of Ohio Minimum Standards, Greater Cleveland Conference Principal’s Group, annually served as chairman for several committees for the North Central Evaluation Teams in area high schools, attended the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation Leadership Training Program for Secondary School Principals and the Conference on Women in Educational Administration, Kent State University. She was named a honorary lifetime member of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers and was named one of Top 100 Educators in February 1984.

Mrs. Hanrahan also authored “Secondary Administration and Conflict Resolution,” Theory into Practice, Ohio State University Publication, June of 1976. She was awarded the Ohio PTA Distinguished Educator Award in 1976.

Mrs Hanrahan is survived by her children, Kathleen O. (Michael) Clarke of Lakewood Colo., Patrick R. (Cynthia) of Cape Coral, Fla., Daniel (Kathleen) of Richmond Texas, and Peggy (Jeffrey) Parker of Cape Coral, Fla.; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and sister, Shirley Pitela of Vass N.C.

She was preceded by her husband, William E., in 1998.

Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Johnson Funeral Home, 368 Mentor Ave., (opposite Lake Erie College), Painesville, where friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. Burial will be in Mentor Cemetery.

The News Herald Thursday; May 20,2010