New London -- Margaret Mary "Peg" Curtin, the president of the Board of Education and a lifelong New London resident, has been named grand marshal for the city's 2014 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The downtown parade is scheduled for Sunday, March 16 at 1 p.m.

In a press release from the parade organizers, Curtin said, “I am delighted to honor my Irish roots by serving as grand marshal." Her grandparents, William and Margaret Corcoran Curtin, arrived in New London from Cork in southern Ireland in the late 1800s.

Curtin attended the former Harbor School and graduated in the Class of 1952 from the former Williams Memorial Institute. She served as the city's ceremonial mayor for two terms and on the City Council for 16 years. Besides presiding over the school board, she chairs the new London Film Commission and serves on the city's Economic Development Commission and on the Southeast Area Transit Board of Directors.

She retired from state employment after serving as undersecretary in the Office of Policy and Management.

Schools, organizations, nonprofit agencies and businesses interested in marching in the parade or seeking additional information should contact Barbara Neff at bj@neffproductions.com for details.