Peggy Sue Gerron, the inspiration for Buddy Holly's 1957 rock and roll hit "Peggy Sue," died Monday. She was 78.
Lubbockonline.com reported Gerron died at University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas.
Gerron attended Lubbock High School with Holly and dated Jerry Allison, who along with Holly was a founding member of the Crickets, the news site reported.
Gerron and Allison were married through much of the 60s, but later divorced. Gerron went on to Pasadena Junior College in Pasadena, California, becoming a dental assistant. She also remarried and had two children, the news outlet reported.
"Balancing home with career, she helped her new husband establish a very successful plumbing business and even became the first licensed woman plumber in California," according to her fan website.
According to the website, in 1978, when the movie, "The Buddy Holly Story" staring Gary Busey came out, "people began asking about whatever had happened to Peggy Sue. Magazines and TV shows were once again interested in the girl behind the song."
In 1995, she returned to Lubbock, and was a celebrity speaker, radio host, and columnist, NBC affiliate KCBD reported.
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