Obituary of Margaret Callahan

Margaret “Peg” Callahan, a lifelong resident of Arlington, passed away after a short illness at the Aberjona Nursing Home in Winchester, on Saturday evening, May 2, 2009. She was 87 years old. Peg was born in Boston. She was the daughter of Irish immigrants the late John and Margaret Callahan. Peg was raised and educated in Arlington. She worked her entire career as an Administrative Assistant at Ginn Publishing Co. which later become Xerox. Peg was an active member of St. Agnes Parish in Arlington. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters, the Sodality Club, and Friends of the Fidelity. Peg was an avid Golfer and belonged to a Golf League at the Woburn Country Club. She loved to travel and had visited such places as Ireland. She was also a talented artist and enjoyed oil painting. She enjoyed gardening as well. Her home that she shared with her sister Anne was always open to her family and friends. Peg was a caring and loving sister, aunt, cousin, and friend that will be warmly remembered. Peg was the beloved sister of Anne Callahan of Arlington and the late Gerald and William. She is the sister-in-law of Faye Callahan of NH, and the late Margaret. Peg was the devoted aunt of Ann Fitzgerald, Paul Callahan, Janice Eisert, Joan Regan, Karyn Lawless, Nancy Olmos, & John “Chip” Callahan. She was the loving cousin of the Murphy, Barnard & McGarry families. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Wednesday, May 6 at 8:45 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Agnes Church, Medford St., Arlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Tuesday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Arlington. Memorials in Peg’s name may be made to the Fidelity House, 25 Medford St., Arlington, MA 02474. Words of Remembrance read by Janice Eisert Thank you all for coming to St. Agnes today to celebrate a truly lovely woman, Margaret Callahan, better known as Peg. Peg was someone whom we all knew and loved. Many of you knew her as part of PegandAnne, or as the Murphy’s kids called her PEGANS. Some of you still aren’t sure which person was Peg and which person is Anne. Given her nature I’m not sure Peg would be happy hearing us honoring her now! But, how could we not?? She was one of the kindest, most gentle, thoughtful, caring persons that God ever put on this earth. Over the years She helped most of us here in every step of our lives. Although she didn’t have children of her own, she spent her time enhancing the lives of her nieces and nephews, cousins, 2nd cousins, cousins-once-removed, neighbors and friends. All of our lives are better for having had Aunt Peg in them. Who among us here was never met with a warm hello by Peg, followed by a question about your child, spouse, parent or sibling? Who here never received a birthday, wedding, anniversary, new baby or get well card from Peg? Her great-nephew remembers being in college and stopping by the mail room with his friends where he found a Valentine’s Day card. His friends were teasing him, curious about the girl who sent him the card, only to find out it was from his great-aunts! Peg was such a loving and thoughtful person. We have all been touched by her kindness. Some were lucky enough to be her God-children. Like her sister Anne, Peg did not take this position lightly, for she adored her God children. She never missed an occasion to celebrate them, so much so that others adopted her as their God-mother and she graciously accepted all of them. Was there ever a better sister than Peg? She was a true friend to Anne, a life partner. As Anne’s arthritis worsened Peg naturally devoted herself to be her caretaker, making it possible for them to get out and about every day. Peg was never one to seek the lime light. She sought no accolades and she suffered with quiet dignity. Just days before her death, when asked, “How are you feeling?” Her reply was always, “I’m fine” or “I’m Okay.” We can all learn a lesson from Peg. Life is not about self, life is about the joy and happiness you bring to others. During a conversation on the ride home from a recent doctor’s appointment, Peg reminised that she had a good life, She travelled the world, had great trips to Florida with Mae & Dick and she was surrounded by people she loved.” That is all Peg needed -- good people, and a little fun along the way! She loved all of us as we loved her! So today as our dear Peg goes home to God and joins all of our loved ones in Heaven, we celebrate the wonderful life she lived here with us and we are grateful that she is not suffering anymore. When I think of her up there looking down at us, I can almost see that warm, endearing smile of hers sending us her love. If Peg were here today she would say “Love you and leave you!”. So we say to her “we love you too and we’ll miss you.”