Margaret McGrath

Margaret “Peggy” McGrath
A Life Well Lived 1929-2015
On the 114th Anniversary of her Mother’s birth, October 1, 2015, Peggy McGrath passed away at the Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Dunmore, PA at 4:17 AM. Margaret died from multiple medical complications she had battled for more than a decade. She was 86 years old.

Peggy was born at home on May 4, 1929 in Bethlehem, PA. Margaret Mary Callahan was the third daughter of Albert Callahan, an Ironworker from West Pittston, PA and Martha Cromley of Plymouth, PA. Her father Albert died in 1931 at the age of 37. His widow returned to the Wilkes-Barre area to raise their four daughters: Alberta, Elizabeth, Margaret and Juliana plus Albert’s son James from a previous marriage. Though Martha was not Roman Catholic, she honored her husbands dying wish to raise his children Catholic. Despite the many hardships of being a single widow during the Great Depression, and unsupportive families due to a marriage of mixed religions, the Callahan’s were nurtured and fostered life long bonds. Peggy attended St. John’s Elementary School on North Main Street and James Coughlin High School in downtown Wilkes-Barre where she graduated in 1947.

Always hard working, Peggy was employed from a young age. At age 12 she worked as a domestic and is remembered for unknowingly serving the distinguished soon-to-be Congressman Dan Flood ice in his beer. During High School she worked part-time at The Hotel Sterling, first as a hat check girl and later as a switchboard operator. There she met a handsome bellboy named Raymond McGrath of Hanover Township, PA. After a three year courtship, they married on January 6, 1949 at Holy Savior Church in the East End section of Wilkes-Barre. These High School sweethearts remained married for 35 years until Ray’s death on his birthday, July 6, 1984. Like her mother she never dated or remarried again. Their union produced three children: Renee Anne (1952), Raymond John (1954) and James Lucas (1959). The family eventually resided in South Wilkes-Barre, PA living in an apartment on New Alexander Street and later they purchased a home on Amherst Avenue. Ray and Peggy were active members of Saint Theresa Parish and involved in several civic and athletic organizations.

Margaret was tenacious and strongly dedicated to her family. Peggy’s character earned her the beloved nickname “Hurricane” whose characteristics she affirmed until her dying day.

The Callahan sisters were never far apart throughout their lives. The McGrath children and the children of her sisters were frequently in each others homes and raised as one large family often under the supervision of “Nana” Martha Callahan and Aunt “Betty” Callahan. Holidays were a special time for Peg and she and her sisters rotated holiday meals between their homes with husbands, parents and cousins in abundance. As the time past, grandchildren arrived and “Granny” took the same enthusiastic approach to family. Peggy often drove hundreds of miles for soccer matches, recitals and her grandchildren’s myriad activities. She often shared the story of driving to Boston to see her Granddaughter Jessica in a recital who followed her music teachers advice: “just fake it” , and pretended to play the violin on stage.

Peggy, full of abundant energy, seemed always involved in a project or task. When not sewing, knitting, cleaning or organizing, she would find projects, sometimes for herself and often for her children and husband. Usually accompanied by a sister, her energy seemed boundless. After sister Jule and husband Jack Monahan purchased a fixer upper home on New Elizabeth Street, it was Peggy and Jule who renovated the kitchen complete with cabinets, wallpaper and plumbing. When Jule’s oldest child Jill married and moved to the West Coast, the “Dolly Sisters” took “PowderPuff” Mechanics and then drove across country to San Francisco, CA. Most of her grandchildren have fond memories of Peggy, Ray and family members on trips and outings in “Gee-Who”, a used and aging camper van, Peg had discovered it in a classified ad. She polished, cleaned and fussed over the van until it shined and was as comfortable as any living room. This “can do” and stoic nature served her well through her life and helped her overcome two major floods in 1972 and 2011. Molly Brown had little on Peg McGrath.

Margaret retired from the Social Security Administration after a twenty year career in government service in 1997. In the first decade after retiring, Peggy and her oldest sister Alberta Walsh drove across country visiting family then exploring cities and towns across America. She eventually sold the family home and moved to the Gateway Apartments in Edwardsville, PA. The widows became active volunteers for the American Red Cross and St. Ignatius Parish. In 2010, Peggy along with Alberta and son James moved to a family complex in West Pittston, PA. She lived at 810 Susquehanna Avenue overseeing family occasions and despite declining health continued baking cookies for Ruth’s Place showing concern for others until her death.

Surviving are daughter Renee Hanan and husband, C. Addison Hanan, Nantucket, MA, son, Raymond J. McGrath and wife Diane McGrath, Lansdale, PA and son James McGrath, West Pittston, PA. Peggy has five grandchildren: Amanda Ringeman, and husband Jason Ringeman, Carrollton, Texas, Raymond P. McGrath, and wife Tara McGrath, West Norriton, PA, Jessica Hanan, and husband Bryan Jennings, Nantucket, MA, Brandon Hanan, and wife Kerry Hink Hanan, Tampa, Fl, and Dr. Jennifer McGrath, and husband Cale Spaulding, Chicago, Il, and two great-grandchildren: Lucy and Lily McGrath, West Norton, PA.

Margaret leaves behind her best friend, companion and older sister Alberta Walsh, West Pittston, PA. Sisters Elizabeth and Julianna preceded her in death.

Peggy loved her nieces and nephews and is survived by Mollie Davis and husband Doug Davis, Collegeville, PA, Kevin Walsh, Columbia, MO, Jill Bursack, Philadelphia, PA, Jane Stewart and husband Paul Stewart, McCungie, PA, Tim Monahan, and wife Christy Wydra Monahan, Larksville, PA.

Pinochle was a lifetime pursuit and Peggy vacates her seat near her card partners, good friends and in-laws: Catherine Ann Salko, husband Michael Salko, Wilkes-Barre, PA, Hedwig (Hedy) McGraw and husband Joseph McGraw, Shavertown, PA. She enjoyed the love and support from her husbands family: nephew Dr. Patrick McGraw, wife Dr. Michelle McGraw, Mountaintop, PA, Michelle Tomaselli, husband Joseph Tomaselli, Shavertown, PA, Kate Salko, Herndon VA, Michael Salko, Remington VA, Steven Salko, Philadelphia PA, Suzanne Salko, Charlottesville VA, Jack McNulty and wife Deborah McNulty, Shavertown, PA
BOLD
Per her request, friends and family are invited to a Memorial Mass to be held at Corpus Christi Church, 650 Luzerne Avenue in West Pittston, PA at 10:00 AM followed by a luncheon of her favorite foods at Noon at her home 810 Susquehanna Avenue in West Pittston, PA. No mourning clothes please and attendees are encouraged to wear a light blue item her favorite color. Peggy’s last request was a Halloween Party and Open House for friends and the community. Full size candy bars and tooth brushes for all kids with refreshments for adults from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at her home at 810 Susquehanna Avenue. Look for the flying ghosts.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Ruth’s Place, Volunteers of America, 425 N. Pennsylvania Ave, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702

“Take life as you find it, but don’t leave it that way.”

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