Margaret T. (Kelly) Murray

Margaret (Peggy Kelly) Murray, Brighton, MA

Margaret (Peggy Kelly) Murray was called to rest peacefully in her sleep in Paoli, PA on June 17, 2025, at age 97. Peggy was born on March 21,1928 in Camus, Connemara, Ireland to Thomas Kelly, a Camus native who was a talented carpenter. He worked for the Boston based B&M Railroad for several years and resided in Hull, MA and Mary (Maura Walsh) Kelly, an Oilean Mor Island native who was a Connemara midwife who delivered many infants in the Camus / Rosmuc community for many decades.

 Peggy was predeceased by her loving husband Jim Murray in 1981 and her beloved siblings and their spouses; Patrick (Jean Donegan) of Savin Hill, Mary (John Conneely) of Rosmuc, Ann (Joseph Bartley) of Long Island, NY, and Bridie (Joseph Conneely) of London, England.  Peggy adored all of them and was heartbroken at each of their passings. Peggy’s bond with her husband, siblings and their spouses were lifelong, and their memory remained close in her heart.

She moved to Dublin at age 16 and on to London to perfect her English as she was raised speaking Gaelic. She and her sisters Ann and Bridie shared a dream to emigrate to the United States. She  crossed the Atlantic and arrived in the USA in 1949  in the Marine Flasher Vessel where she and her sister Ann had family assisted employment positions as a cook/baker and server awaiting them (set up by their father) in Pittsburgh  Peggy joined her sister Bridie and her brother Patrick in Boston the following year where she met her future husband, Jim Murray. They married in Boston on November 11, 1955, and welcomed five children who they raised in Brighton (Boston), MA.  Peggy was always a hard worker. She enjoyed working in catering and private household roles, where she became like a second mother to many, including the four children of the Kraft family, longtime owners of the New England Patriots who she loved dearly and worked with, for over 20 years.  Peggy loved to travel and was always quick to pack her suitcase. Her journeys took her to England, frequent visits home to Ireland, religious pilgrimages to Lourdes in France, and adventures to Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Turks & Caicos, Hawaii, Arizona, California & many others.  Peggy especially loved spending time on Nantucket Island, Cape Cod and Lake Winnipesaukee where she would visit her children frequently at their summer homes.  She spent most of her winters on Sanibel Island, FL over the past twenty years, which she would be excited to return to each winter. She also loved cruises which she frequently vacationed on with her family. 

Peggy loved her five children fiercely. After Jim’s passing in 1981, she was left with her youngest son aged 11, two teenagers in high school and her two oldest children in trade school and college. She encouraged them to look after each other and somehow made ends meet. She was extremely proud of their educational achievements and personal accomplishments; Patrick (Amelia Mc Nally) Dennis, MA, Mary (Chuck Bruno) West Newton, Tommy (Judy Richards) Northbridge, Kevin (Cheryl Cormier) Walpole and Sean (Megan Ceppetelli) Paoli, PA.

She was a beloved grandmother to Meaghan, Kelsey, Seamus, Liam, AJ, Trevor, Brendan, Aidan, Teague, Conor and Delaney and great-grandmother to Bridget and McKenzie.

Peggy adored her many nieces and nephews. She never missed a wedding, whether it was for one of them or their children.  She and Jim would pack up their five children to visit her sister Ann and brother-in-law Joe who had six children of their own, followed by her sister Bridie with her three sons from London, England and Pat and Jean’s six children in and out as well. It was a magical time for all of them and required for us to be tossed in their pool to learn how to swim. It created a wonderful bond between all of the cousins which has continued throughout our lives. 

Peggy loved to attend Irish dances and would dance the night away to Irish music. Her children held a surprise party on her 90th birthday with Irish dancers performing, where she had such an amazing time celebrating with her extended family and friends.

Peggy loved her life.  She was a devout Catholic who drew tremendous strength from her faith.

Our hearts are broken. Peggy will live on with all of us eternally. May she rest peacefully. Her smile and laughter were radiant and contagious. May we all follow in her example of realizing that every day is a blessing and in honor of her, live each day to the fullest! 

*Visitors may pay their respects on Friday 6/27/25 from 4pm-8pm. at the Lehman Reen & McNamara Funeral Home 63 Chestnut Hill Ave Brighton. 

* Peggy’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, 6/28/25 at the 10:30 am mass at her lifelong parish, St. Columbkille’s Church on 321 Market St., Brighton, MA followed by her interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in West Roxbury, MA  

For directions and guest book please visit www.lehmanreen.com

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