Margaret Anne (Peggy) Carlon’s soul took flight on May 13 at the Ledgewood Bay Assisted Living home in Milford, N.H.
Peggy was born on December 3, 1936 in New Rochelle, N.Y. to Margaret and Daniel Cahill, growing up in a three story home shared with her maternal grandparents. She fondly recalled many hours spentat the home of her dear friend, Zelda Abele, playing board games and “just being creative.”
Her creative streak was no doubt fostered by her beloved father Daniel. “He made life fun. We’d take walks through City Park and he’d Little Red Riding Hood?’ My dad could change a simple walk in the park into a fun adventure.”
After graduating from St. Gabriel’s High School, where she was senior class treasurer, Peggy worked as a secretary at CBS in Manhattan. She often said that the older men at CBS did not act like the gents in the television show Mad Men.
On Election Day 1956, Peggy met her future husband, George Carlon, at a church social; using skills learned in the Navy, George then followed her to the College Diner on North Avenue in New Rochelle. Finding out that she had a boyfriend, George snuck into Peggy’s heart with his devilish charm (and My Fair Lady tickets). The couple were married on April 26, 1958 at Holy Family Church in New Rochelle.
The couple had three children: Michael, Susan, and Daniel. Each would say that his/her childhood was filled with love, endless caring, and humor.
Due to George’s career at American Express, Peggy moved to Nashua, N.H. in 1963. Here she met her life-long friends, Eileen Inamorati, Evelyn Hoffman, Carolyn Root, Cathy Shea, Loretta Coffey, Roe Alter, the Friday Night Dinner Group, and her monthly ladies lunch group.
Along with her kind, vivacious personality, Peggy possessed a soul of steel. When her husband fell ill with emphysema, it was she who nursed her George, honoring his wishes to pass away at home. After his death in 1993, Peggy, although a young widow, did not swallow in self pity. Instead she joined the RISE Program at Rivier University in Nashua, enjoying treks overseas with her children, and with dear friends. And when her seven granddaughters and one grandson entered the world, Peggy became the “GPeg” of legend, hosting wonderful leaf raking parties, birthday parties, and renting a house in West Hyannisport in the summers for all to visit. When her daughter Susan gave birth to three precious little ladies in 1997, Peg temporarily moved into her daughter’s home to help with the beautiful challenge of triplets.
A parishioner of Nashua’s Parish of the Resurrection, Peggy was a person who truly lived her faith. Her acts of charity were endless. For instance, several times a month she would shop for new children’s clothes, immediately donating them to Nashua’s Salvation Army. After Hospice provided vital assistance at the end of George’s life, Peggy volunteered for several years in Hospice’s office to show her gratitude.
Nothing was ever too much for Peggy’s children and grandchildren. A gifted writer, Peggy kept a journal of each of her grandchildren’s childhoods. Her three children were often surprised with tickets to a show, to a trip to Cooperstown–or County Wicklow, Ireland. In short, Peggy Carlon was a gem.
She is survived by her sister Kathleen Cahill of Nashua; her daughter Susan and son-in-law Brad Giles of Hollis; her son Daniel and daughter-in-law Nancy of Plymouth, Massachusetts; her son Michael and daughter-in-law Lisa of Centerville, Massachusetts; and her beloved grandchildren: Hannah and Sarah Carlon; Georgia, Bridget and Anna Giles; and Nicholas, Haylie, and Nathalie Carlon. Peggy is also survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Donald and Arlene Carlon and their children, Mia, Michael and James and their families. In addition to her husband George, she was predeceased by her nephew Gregory Carlon and survived by Greg’s wife, Carolyn and the couple’s two daughters.
Peggy’s children would like to thank the dedicated staffs at Ledgewood Bay, The Courville in Nashua, and her Hospice nurses for their superb and loving care. There are so many good people in this world. In Peggy’s honor, feel free to make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation; the Salvation Army; or to your local Hospice Care.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Peggy at the Parish of the Resurrection, 449 Broad Street, Nashua, Wednesday, June 26th at 11 a.m. followed by a celebration of life. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com The Farwell Funeral Service, 18 Lock Street, Nashua, is assisting the family with arrangements.
