Remembering Peggy Shumate
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our longtime colleague and dear friend, Margaret “Peggy” Shumate, who passed away on August 10, 2026.
Peggy’s connection to The Office Professionals goes back nearly to our very beginning. She joined TOP in 1993, the year our company opened, after beginning her recruiting career in the Cleveland area the year before. In February 1994, Peggy was promoted to Manager of TOP Temporary Services. Under her guidance, that division grew to become an integral part of the services offered by The Office Professionals. For more than three decades, Peggy was a constant presence at TOP. She managed our office, worked closely with candidates and clients, and helped countless people throughout their careers. For those of us who worked with her, Peggy was far more than an employee or coworker. She was part of the fabric of The Office Professionals and part of our family.
Peggy also lived a remarkable life outside the office. Music was one of her great passions. She sang with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus for 25 years and was also a beloved member of the St. Paul Senior Choir. Her years with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus included the extraordinary accomplishment of being part of a Grammy-winning ensemble. After her own battle with ovarian cancer, Peggy dedicated herself to helping others. She participated in Survivors Teaching Students, mentored through the 4th Angel Mentoring Program, raised awareness and funds for OutRun Ovarian Cancer, and volunteered with Ames Family Hospice House and St. Paul Lutheran Church.
There are very few people who have been as closely connected to the history of The Office Professionals as Peggy. For approximately 33 years, she helped build this company, served our clients and candidates, supported her coworkers, and became a friend to so many of us.
We are incredibly grateful that Peggy chose to spend so much of her life with us. Her influence on The Office Professionals will remain long after her passing, and she will never be forgotten.
Our deepest condolences go to her husband Rich, her family, her friends, and everyone whose life was touched by Peggy.
We will miss you, Peggy.