Jeanne Peck

Jeanne Peck, 52, founding Chair of the Komen NC Triangle Race for the Cure, died peacefully at home of lymphoma on January 18, 2009.
In 1997, Jeanne's determination and leadership brought to the Triangle its first Komen Race for the Cure. A breast cancer survivor, she passionately wanted to help others touched by this disease while celebrating her 10 years of survivorship. The Triangle Race has grown from 2,600 to 24,000 participants and the money raised has grown from $100,000 to $2 million.
Throughout her lifetime, Jeanne was known for her warmth, caring and compassionate desire to help others achieve their best. Growing up in Chapel Hill, she developed a lifelong affinity for swimming. As a life guard and swim coach, she taught and mentored many children in Chapel Hill. At the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Jeanne excelled at competitive swimming, setting university records in several events. She continued mentoring by managing the women's softball team and offering guidance to the team's young coach, who remained a close friend for the rest of her life.
Through her 25 year career at North Carolina State University as a database administrator in Administrative Computing Services and later as Assistant Director in Enterprise Application Services, Jeanne was well-liked and highly respected by her peers and colleagues. She often went the extra mile to help and mentor co-workers. It was common for her to spend hours searching for the perfect appreciation gifts for her staff.
Jeanne remained an avid and passionate volunteer with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, always eager to do whatever necessary, while urging her fellow volunteers to stay true to the original grassroots, inclusive Komen spirit. She was named BMW Drive for the Cure Local Hero, and was the recipient of the Jane Mosley Keep Up the Fight Award, and the Maureen Thomas Jordan Spirit of Survivorship Award. Coach Kay Yow, while in the midst of her own battle with breast cancer, awarded Jeanne her special Angel of Courage pin.
Jeanne's extensive curiosity led her to explore and develop many different interests. Among other things, she enjoyed traveling, reading, gardening, music, snorkeling and bird-watching. She had a unique ability to reach out to all, with particular tenderness for animals and small children, and this gentle spirit shines clearly through her photography.
Jeanne is survived by her long- time companions Kathy Scharl and Dolores Leonard. Also surviving are her parents Robert and Elizabeth Peck; brother, Richard Peck; and sister-in-law, Barbara; nieces, Cathy Powell, Nancy Bowling and Jody McClurg and their husbands; two great-nieces and two great-nephews. She also leaves behind an extensive family of friends who will miss her deeply.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, at Walker's Funeral Home, 120 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, 919-942-3861.
A celebration of Jeanne's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 23, 2009 at The Barn at Fearrington, 2000 Village Way, Pittsboro, NC, 27312.
Online Condolences may be sent to the family at www.walkersfuneralservice.com
Memorials may be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure NC Triangle Affiliate, 133 Fayetteville Street, Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27601 or www.komennctriangle.org or Piedmont Wildlife Center, 304 Leigh Farm Road, Durham, NC 27707.
http://www.piedmontwildlifecenter.org/
Arrangements by Walker's Funeral Home, 120 W. Franklin Street Chapel Hill, NC 27516.