Margaret Mary “Peg” (Wall) Reed, 98, died on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at Sippican Health Care Center, Marion, MA.
Peg was born on September 9, 1917 in Boston, MA to Peter James and Mary Mildred “Mae” (Madden) Wall.
She graduated from Brockton High School, and, following her dream of becoming a teacher, Peg worked her way through Bridgewater State Teachers’ College, graduating in 1940. She began her professional career at a one room schoolhouse, now a historical site, in York, ME.
She met her husband, US Army Lt. John I. Reed in Portsmouth, NH. After they were married in 1943, she followed him to various assignments around the United States and Panama. After the war ended they returned to live in Brockton, MA. Except for ten years devoted to staying home with their three young children, Peg taught at West Junior High in Brockton until her retirement in 1982. She was an enthusiastic member of several women’s clubs and the PTA, as well as taking her turn as a Brownie and Cub Scout volunteer.
In 1950 Peg and family became mid-century-modern pioneers of a sort on weekends in Mattapoisett, MA. They cleared the land and built their vacation house, which became their permanent home after retirement. In retirement, she dedicated much time and talent as a literacy volunteer, museum docent, volunteer for the Office for the Aging, Lector and active parishioner at St. Anthony’s Church, and as a member of the Mattapoisett Womens’ Club.
She is survived by a daughter, Patricia Kelley and her husband Edward of Wappingers Falls, NY, 2 sons, Robert D. Reed and his wife Judith and Peter J. Reed and his wife Melinda, all of Mattapoisett. In addition she leaves six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Peg will be remembered for her generosity to family, friends, church and community and for her indomitable spirit.
Her Funeral will be held on Friday at 8 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett, followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Anthony’s Church at 9 AM. Burial will follow in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 4-6 PM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.