If you are fortunate enough to meet a genuinely kind, fun and loving person—a person who you can make you laugh for no reason, lift your spirits when you’re feeling down and inspire you to chase your most ambitious dreams—hold on to them tight, because they’re one in a million.
Peggy Sue (Borch) Barber was one of those rare individuals. She lived life loud and with intention.
Peggy was born on January 25, 1967, and was raised in Bay City.
She graduated from Bay City Central High School and was accepted to Northern Michigan
University on a full gymnastics scholarship. After earning her bachelor’s degree in
physical education in 1989, Peggy earned her master’s degree in physical education
and sports administration from Central Michigan University in 1992.
She joined Delta College as a faculty member and remained with the college for nearly 30 years, making a lasting impact on its physical education program the whole way through. Early in her career she led the initiative to change the program name to “Lifelong Wellness” in recognition of the many dimensions of health, not just the physical.
Throughout her tenure, she held a variety of leadership positions from program coordinator to division chair. In 2012, Peggy was selected to receive the college’s highest award, the Bergstein Award for Teaching Excellence. Before her retirement, Peggy helped establish the plant-based nutrition certificate program in 2022 to complement a range of Delta’s healthcare and health fitness programs.
Peggy was also a very active leader in the fitness community. She served as state director for the Michigan National Strength and Conditioning Association (MNSCA). She was a children’s coach at Palm Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Saginaw and ran Peggy Sue’s Super Fit Camp out of her home. She was a personal trainer with her clientele including the late Mrs. Betty Carlyon. And, for over a decade, Peggy organized the Northern Michigan Peggy Sue Barber Classic, a bodybuilding competition held annually at Saginaw Valley State University.
Though Peggy was a positive light to all who knew her, she was also a decorated fighter—in more ways than one. In 2017, Peggy won the World Master International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) Championship in her blue belt featherweight division. A first-round battle with breast cancer prevented her from defending her title the following year.
“In May of 2018, I wrote, ‘2019 World Champion’ on my board, and I’ve had to look at it for a year and a half,” Peggy shared in a previous interview with Delta College. Filled with determination, she earned that title, becoming a two-time World Master IBJJF Champion in 2019, this time with a purple belt. In the same interview, she shared, “I would love to earn my brown belt, and the ultimate goal is the black belt.” In the meantime, Peggy became a two-time American National IBJJF Champion before earning her black belt in July of 2023.
Peggy loved achieving her goals and helping others do the same. She lived not only for herself, but for anyone who was lucky enough to call her Friend, Professor, Sister, Wife and most of all, Mom.
Even with all the awards and recognitions, her proudest achievement was and will forever be her son, Vince. He was raised in his parents’ light, becoming a true reflection of their values. Vince was the first in the family to cultivate an interest in Jiu-Jitsu. Inspired by their son, and looking for ways to spend more time together, Joe and Peggy each took up the sport, too. They became a real “fit family,” training and competing together in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions across the country.
There are many things Peggy will be remembered for, including her heart and giving spirit. Peggy organized many fundraising workout events called Fitness for a Cause. The goal of the first event was to establish a scholarship in the name of her colleague, Gary Stanley, who passed in 2015. Other events raised funds for Brinley the Brave, Xavier’s Battle, Amazing Grace Animal Rescue, and more.
When Peggy’s cancer made an aggressive return, she continued to fight but ultimately passed surrounded by loved ones on June 12, 2024. Following Peggy’s example, Lifelong Wellness professor Kara Jimenez began organizing Move for a Cause workout events with the goal of endowing a scholarship at Delta College in Peggy’s name. The first fundraising effort of many was titled, Wonder Woman Week.
“That was her. On every piece of clothing, she had a Wonder Woman symbol. She had Wonder Woman memorabilia around her office,” said Kara. “Every Wednesday she’d be decked out in Wonder Woman gear and say, ‘It’s Wonder Woman Wednesday!’”
The Peggy Sue Barber Scholarship Endowment reached the minimum funding threshold after receiving a generous donation from the Joe Hausbeck Family Foundation. To future recipients of this scholarship, Joe has one request, “Inspire others. Because that’s what she did.” Students in Delta’s Lifelong Wellness programs will be inspired by Peggy’s tenacity for generations to come.
“Peace, love and muscle.” – Peggy Sue Barber
Interested in contributing to the future financial impact of this endowment or establishing a new scholarship? Contact Julie Dorcey in the Delta College Foundation at 989-686-9079 or juliedorcey@delta.edu.
