Obituary of Peggy McGarry

Peggy McGarry, a woman who loved life, family, and her friends, passed away Tuesday afternoon at her home with her family at her side after battling for over a year with pancreatic cancer. She was just 47 years old. Peggy was born in Malden, the daughter of the late Lester and Jane Beaudoin. She grew up in Malden and Burlington. She was a graduate of Burlington High School, Class of 1980. She met her husband Richard when she was in High School and she was married on a snowy February day in 1983. They lived in Townsend for a while, before building their dream home in Pepperell 14 years ago. Peggy worked for over 20 years as a travel agent. She enjoyed helping people plan their dream vacations. Her career also gave her and her family access to some of the most beautiful and exciting destinations in the world. At least twice a year, they would travel to see new and exotic destinations which she would later describe to her clients. She traveled throughout Europe, the Caribbean, and the United States. Peggy loved the sun and the beach, so St. John’s Island in the Caribbean was one of her most favorite destinations. She loved exploring the island finding secluded beaches and local attractions. Her warmth, smile, and outgoing personality made it easy for her to meet new friends wherever she would visit. Closer to home, she enjoyed visiting Wingaersheek Beach, hiking in the nearby mountains, and just working around her home with her husband, who adored her. She was a loving and caring mother. She leaves a lasting memory on all the lives that she touched and she will be lovingly remembered. Peggy was the wife of 26 years of Richard W. McGarry. She was the loving mother of Aimee, Michelle, and Richie McGarry all of Pepperell. She was the sister of Maura Taylor of Burlington, Janet Beaudoin & her spouse Jana Kaplan of Saugus, the late Paul Beaudoin & Robert Beaudoin of Winthrop. She was the devoted daughter of the late Jane and Lester Beaudoin. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Saturday, November 21 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Friday 5-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Peggy’s name may be made to the Margaret McGarry Fund, Mass General Development Office, 165 Cambridge St., Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114. Family Remembrance from Amy What can I say about my mom. There are not enough kind words to express what she meant to all of us. She was an adoring wife, a loving mother, a supportive sister, and an amazing friend to anyone who had the pleasure of meeting her. She was the sweetest most caring person who always put the needs of everyone else first. Last September she was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. After completing her first round of chemotherapy and radiation she got up at 6 am on Thanksgiving Day to roast a bird. &quote;God Love Me&quote; she would say looking back on that, but we truly appreciated her dedication and her famous mashed potatoes. Mom loved to travel, go to the beach, take walks, laugh and have fun. For the record, despite being Grandma's daughter, she HATED shopping. Mom wasn't all sweet though, she had a strong rebel side. She enjoyed motorcycle riding, wearing her leather, rides in Dads sports car, and listening to Aerosmith. You could often find her jammin to Bob Marley while cleaning the house or listening to the B52's out by the pool. Mom I will never forget, when my boyfriend Archie drove his new Harley to our house this summer. You ran outside so fast, and you were even still in your PJ's. Even though you said you were a little tired and worn out from treatments, just the mention of going for a ride with papa gave you the push you needed. You disappeared inside, and when you came back out you looked like a hot biker chic with your boots, leather jacket, jeans, and of course your shades. Arch happily handed the keys over to dad and they roared out of the driveway with ear-to-ear smiles. I am so glad that you and dad got to share that one last ride...because I know you both loved it. Mom, you met your perfect match and soul mate when you met Dad. In a very short time myself, Michelle, and Richie joined you. The amazing piece is that throughout the years and &quote;occasional&quote; challenges of parenting you remained in love. You had incredible devotion to each other and your love is an inspiration to us. My mom was not only a great mother, but also a great friend. She always had a lot of fun with her family. She enjoyed a good challenge at air hockey or racecar driving in Ogunquit. She would always be waiting the next morning to hear our stories of my sister and I going out the night before. We could tell her anything, and know we would get her honest opinion, and tons of support. She also had fun with her friends. She loved her girlfriends and enjoyed the times they spent together. Whether it was a weekend trip, or just hanging by the house with a glass of wine, or mudslide by the pool. I cannot forget to mention her friendship with Smokey. He was our big German Shepherd who she loved dearly, and often joked that he was the only one that ever listened to her. Mom was taken from us too soon. I am saddened to think that her grandchildren will never get to know her. She loved kids and they were always drawn to her caring and loving arms. I know that she will be watching over us. I know she will be there for all those amazing events in the future. Mom was the best mother anyone could ever ask for. She was so warm and loving, she always wanted the best for all of us. She was so understanding and patient. I loved her so much, and my heart aches everyday because a piece of it will always be with her. All of our lives are just a little less bright now without her in them. If I could be just half as great a mother, wife, and friend as her, then I know I will be happy. To be honest, it is harder for us to cope with her passing because she was always the one who would console us. She would bring us cranberry orange juice and vegetable soup when we were sick, give the best hugs in the world, and oh man will we miss those hugs. But knowing her she would not want us to be sad. She would want us to remember all the amazing times we had together. I think she said it best; you can't just dwell on the sad. In this family we cry, then we laugh. It’s just how we deal with things. And so...Mom, from all of us here who love you we will miss and remember you always, and we will see you again one day, give our love to Grandma, Papa, uncle Paul, auntie Kay, Cheryl, and Smokey. Mom the rest of the family would like to say a few words as well. From Daddy: I will never forget the day that I met you. It was the beginning of an amazing life. You were my other half, and without you my life will never be the same. I really don’t know what I will do without you. I will love you and remember you always. I can’t wait for the day we can be together again. From Shelly: I will never regret that decision I made to stay home and take care of you. I had always felt close to you, but the last 14 months I felt like I was truly a part of you. I even had the sympathy pains to prove it! You always wanted to live life to the fullest, and have no regrets, which you were definitely able to accomplish. A part of me feels empty now, but I know you will always be with me, and we will be together again one day. I love you! From Richie: You have saved my life more times than I can count. You were there for me though all the tough times and now it is time for me to be the man that you always new I could be. I promise you that I will make you proud. I love you more than life itself. And please remember..........From myself, Daddy, Michelle, Richie, and all your family and friends......&quote;We love you more than love can say......every single stinkin day.