Peggy (McGlone) Loynd, choreographer, dancer

For nearly 70 years, Margaret Catherine (McGlone) Loynd tapped her way into the hearts of Waltham residents.

A skilled dancer and choreographer who owned the Peggy McGlone Dance Studio, Mrs. Loynd died Saturday of abdominal cancer in her Waltham home. She was 77.

Known as Peggy to friends and relatives, Mrs. Loynd was born in Barre, Vt., and moved to Waltham as a child. She learned to dance as a girl and gained acclaim in the mid-1940s while performing with her father and brother. The trio called themselves The Dancing and Singing McGlones and performed at USO shows in New England.

Mrs. Loynd studied at the Stanley Brown Dance Studio in Boston. She practiced ballet and jazz but held the highest affinity for tap.

"She was a phenomenal tap dancer," said her friend Patti Hassell, of Waltham, who now runs the dance studio. "I don't think anyone in this area could touch her in tap."

Mrs. Loynd opened the Peggy McGlone Dance Studio at age 16 with the help of her father, who paid the rent for the first month. She ran the studio on Moody Street in downtown Waltham while attending St. Mary's High School, where she met her husband, John Thomas Sr. The couple married in 1948; they had six children.

Mrs. Loynd loved show tunes and always used a live orchestra during recitals. Members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra have performed at her shows. She also occasionally choreographed musicals performed at Boston theaters, including the Little Theater.

Although a fan of old melodies, Mrs. Loynd also listened to popular music.

"She did anything and everything," said her son, Joseph Paul Sr. of Maynard. "She did break-dancing even in her 50s. She was old-school but enjoyed what was current."

Many of Mrs. Loynd's proteges went on to perform in Broadway musicals, including a revival of "No, No, Nannette" and the original production of "Annie."

Mrs. Loynd's studio also was home to students with disabilities.

"Dance was her whole life. There was never a student she turned away," Hassell said.

When she wasn't choreographing, Mrs. Loynd enjoyed crocheting afghans and sweaters. She also was a skilled seamstress.

Last year, Mrs. Loynd danced in her final recital. She entertained the crowd with a tap number accompanied by her students and two daughters.

Mrs. Loynd will best be remembered for her saying, "A good teacher never loses her class," Hassell said.

In addition to her husband and son, Mrs. Loynd leaves two other sons, John Thomas Jr. of Conway, N.H., and James Anthony of Erving; three daughters, Mary Margaret Toole of Memphis, Peggyann Loynd-Mahnken of Acton, and Alicia Marie Edwards of Tennessee; 19 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be said today at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary's Church in Waltham. Burial will be in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.