Grand Marshal 2026

Peggy McGarvey is proud to be a lifelong resident of Bayonne. She is the  daughter of Clare (Conway) McGarvey and the late Patrick McGarvey.  Peggy is the youngest of five and adores her siblings: Clare, Kathleen,  Patrick, and Eileen and considers them some of her very favorite people. Her maternal lineage is from Counties Mayo and Tyrone, and her paternal  lineage is from Donegal. Her grandfather, Patrick, was born in Ranafast,  and Peggy had the pleasure of visiting his childhood home during her first  trip to Ireland in 2007. 

Peggy is the immensely proud aunt of 3 nephews and 4 nieces who are the  apples of her eye. She considers being part of their village one of the  greatest honors of her life. Although she misses the little cherubs they  once were, she loves the young adults they have become. Peggy is a graduate of St. Mary’s Star of the Sea School, Holy Family  Academy, and Saint Peter’s University where she earned a Bachelor of  Science in Accounting. She is currently attending Saint Peter’s University’s  Alternate Route to Education program, en route to earn her teaching  certification.  

After a 20-year career in Anti-Financial Crime, Peggy found herself in  search of a new challenge, and decided to explore teaching. She began as  a leave replacement in Midtown Community School in February 2024  teaching 6th grade Math. Peggy moved to Dr. Walter F. Robinson School  last September teaching 5th grade Science and Social Studies. Peggy was  able to move with her students from last year, and is teaching them 6th  grade Math this year. 

Peggy has been part of the Parade Committee since 2013 serving as the  Cultural Coordinator until 2024 when she then took over the position of  Treasurer for the Committee. Peggy is one of the founding members of the  Bayonne Shamrock Society; where she currently serves as Treasurer. She  was honored as the club’s Aide to the Grand Marshal in 2014. For several  years, Peggy was a member of the United Irish of Bayonne, a group who  organized the annual Project Children Fundraiser, which raised money to  bring children from Northern Ireland to the US each summer. Peggy also  served as the Treasurer for the Bayonne Irish Festival Committee from its  inception in 2017 until late last year. Peggy embodies the best of the Irish spirit: a sharp wit, a welcoming  warmth and a resilient heart. Peggy is immensely proud to lead this year’s  parade, and as she leads the parade up Broadway, she will be thinking of  her late father and the generations of McGarveys and Conways who came  before her.