a look at...
Peggy and Keith Leclerc
photography by Win Wolloff
International Diamond Center co-founder Keith Leclerc, who
was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, moved to
Florida at the age of 21 and met Peggy, the woman who would
later become his wife. They founded IDC a few years after being
married at age 24. Their three children, Ashley, Brian, Danielle,
and their spouses, also work in the family business. Keith and
Peggy have 10 grandchildren who keep them quite entertained.
After 41 years of marriage, Keith and Peggy’s commitment to
each other, their family and the Tampa Bay community remains
paramount in their lives.
Keith, the patriarch of the family business, and son Brian,
hand-select the majority of diamonds available at International
Diamond Center. The family owned and operated company has
expanded to nine locations throughout the Southeast, including
their newest location in Gainesville, Florida. The company’s
mission is to empower consumers while making the purchase
of a diamond the romantic and exciting experience it should be.
For the last 35 years, Keith and Peggy’s community involvement
has been a priority for them. Their family foundation, The Fifth
C, is founded on the precept “To Whom Much is Given, Much
is Expected.” Keith serves on the board of Operation Healing
Forces and his other philanthropic efforts focus on the betterment
of children in our community. After years of dedicating her
time to her children, Peggy now spends her time volunteering
and raising funds to help support the many charities near and
dear to her heart: New Life Solutions, The Children’s Home,
The Queen of Hearts, Museum of Fine Arts and the Salvador
Dalí Museum. Peggy, who recently co-chaired the gala of the
Boys & Girls Clubs of The Suncoast, was recognized as one of
the 2018 Five Fabulous Females in Tampa Bay for her passion
for serving others.
What do you like most about the Tampa Bay area?
Peggy: Meeting wonderful people and watching the beautiful
display of lightning storms over the bay
Keith: Coming from the Northeast, the weather is pretty
exceptional here, but the best part is that all my children and
grandchildren live so close to me.
What could you talk about for hours?
Peggy: God’s Amazing Grace
Keith: My beautiful wife and how she has stuck by my side
for the past 41 years and supported me, as my focus was
mostly on building our business
What is your favorite word?
Peggy: Compassion
Keith: Perseverance
130 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | MARCH/APRIL 2020
What are you famous for?
Peggy: I make great sticky buns.
Keith: I’m famous for instigating cake and water fights since
the time when my children were young, and I have continued
the legacy with my grandchildren.
What don’t people know about you?
Peggy: I hang upside down like a bat each morning on an
incline board.
Keith: I make the best gourmet buttered popcorn, but my
son-in-law Brian is giving me a run for my money.
What is your motto?
Peggy: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Keith: “To whom much is given, much is expected.”
What would you like to do that you have never done?
Peggy: I would love to go sledding in Alaska with huskies.
Keith: I would love to take my grandchildren to every major
league baseball park for a game (with their parents of course;
I’m not that crazy.)
How do you think other people would describe you?
Peggy: I think other people would say that I’m friendly and
compassionate, patient and dependable.
Keith: I believe other people would say that I am the ultimate
competitor and a family man.
What is your idea of happiness?
Peggy: Doing things for other people when they least expect it
brings me joy.
Keith: Seeing how my children and their spouses are coming
into their own within our family business and the jewelry
industry
What is your most treasured possession?
Peggy: My children, grandchildren, and the Bible
Keith: My grandchildren… for sure!
How would you like to be remembered?
Peggy: That I loved people and was a devoted wife, mother
and grandmother
Keith: That I helped a lot of people and loved my family
What is your favorite dessert?
Peggy: Godiva brownie with ice cream and Godiva hot fudge
Keith: Bananas Foster 9