Dan and Peg Reese-O'Neill

Dan and Peg Reese-O’Neill were dedicated to the values of love and support for each other and their community. Peggy was a member of the professional staff here at Bergen Community College, working as an international counselor for 35 years. She helped countless students find their way through the maze of government requirements, student visas, and often the much-needed reassurance that they would be welcomed in their new home away from home. And Dan and Peg opened their home to one such Caribbean student for three days during the 9/11 crisis when she was unable to get back into New York. It is who they were.

Dan was a deacon for the Archdioceses of Newark, and Peg was always at Dan’s side supporting him and his work. They were Eucharistic Ministers for hospital and homebound patients in their community and never missed an opportunity to lend a helping hand. Peg had a particular passion for South America from a friendship she developed in her college days with a roommate from Ecuador. She maintained that friendship all her life. They visited Ecuador many times over the years and decided that they would create a legacy for Ecuadorian students who made their way to New Jersey. They did this to help support these students on their educational journey. Their hope was to give back and give a hand up just as was given to them. It is who they were, and it is what they valued.