Margaret "Peggy" Sullivan

Margaret “Peggy” Sullivan  In Jamaica Plain formerly of Brighton passed peacefully in her sleep on July 17, 2025 at 82 years of age. She was the first child of Michael Sullivan and Margaret Lynch of Brighton, MA.  Although afflicted from birth with Cerebral Palsy, that didn’t deter her from pursuing her dreams.

Peggy graduated from St. Gabriel’s School in Brighton, MA and Mass Hospital School in Canton, MA.  She received an Associate degree from Boston University.  She spent her life focusing on her education, volunteering, lecturing at area colleges about disabilities, and writing articles and poetry.

She was a volunteer teacher at Devotion School and Heath School in Brookline, MA, helping students in many different grades.  She was also the “neighborhood homework helper” at her home in Brighton. 

Peggy was devoted to the Catholic Church, first at St. Gabriels and then at St. Columbkilles where she could be seen many weekends at mass riding in her motorized wheelchair. In 1952, she wrote an article about her pilgrimage to Lourdes with Cardinal Richard Cushing.

She received several service awards from the Voluntary Action Center and from the National Department of Human Services. She loved to write poetry, play Scrabble, complete puzzles and was the chief navigator when her mother bought the family’s first car in 1972.

In 1978, she participated in the National Cerebral Palsy Games where she won four Gold Medals and set four national records and went on to win five Gold Medals the next year. In 1980, she was selected to be part of the US Team that participated in the International Cerebral Palsy Games held in Europe where she won first place for discus.  

Peggy is survived by her sister, Marie Musialek (Ben) of FL, brother, Robert Sullivan (Janice) of AL, and sister-in-law Deb Sullivan of NY.  She left several nieces and nephews: Mackenzie Sullivan (Thalia), Connor Sullivan, Jordan Sullivan (Julia), and Christopher Musialek all of NY, Melinda Hanford (Jason) of PA, Christopher Sullivan (Chris) of MA, Jonathan Sullivan, Brianna Sullivan, and Maria Sullivan all of AL. 

She was predeceased by her parents and a brother, Michael Sullivan, Jr. She is also survived by numerous cousins and many great-nieces and great-nephews

Funeral from the Lehman Reen & McNamara Funeral Home 63 Chestnut Hill Ave (nr Brighton Courthouse) BRIGHTON on Thursday July 24th at 9:30am.  Followed by Funeral Mass in St. Columbkille Church 321 Market St Brighton at 10:30am.  Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.  Interment Calvary Cemetery, Waltham. Visiting Hours on Wednesday July 23rd from 4-8pm in the funeral home. 

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

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Margaret "Peggy" Sullivan, please visit our Tree Store.