Obituary of Margaretta M. McCloskey

Margaretta M. "Peggy" McCloskey, age 89, of E.Norriton, formerly of Lafayette Hill, died Thursday, June 22, 2017 at Mercy Suburban Hospital , East Norriton. Peggy was born June 25, 1927 in Phila., PA. She is the daughter of the late Otto and the late Ella (Channell) Bender. She was the beloved wife of John L. "Jack" McCloskey and the late Robert Mauger and the late Harold Ritchings. She is survived by her husband: John L.McCloskey Sr. ,two daughters: Maryellen Mauger, Suzanne Bernardi (Stephen), Stepmother of- John McCloskey (Cecelia), James McCloskey (Carol), Daniel McCloskey (Linda) and Catherine Kane (Christopher) 8 Grandchildren And 5 Great Grandchildren. Peggy was predeceased by her grandson Matthew and her sisters- Dorothy Bender and Jeanette Nicoletti "Well done my good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:23 Peggy lived at Brightview Senior Living in East Norriton with her loving husband of four years, Jack McCloskey. Jack and Peggy met 60 years ago when both were working at LaSalle College but hadn't seen each other for over 50 years until reconnected by a mutual friend 5 years ago. Friendship bloomed into love proving that the later stages of life can be a gift from God full of unexpected blessings. Peggy grew up in the Holy Child Parish area of Philadelphia with her loving parents, Ella and OC Bender and sisters Jeanette (Nicoletti) and Dorothy (Bender). She attended Little Flower Grade School and High School where she met her lifelong best friend, Gerrie Steif O'Hara. After graduation, Peggy went to work at LaSalle University (then LaSalle College) where she was one of only five women working on campus. She managed the Public Relations office and in 1953 became the Director of Academic Publicity. During that time Peggy met, fell in love, and in 1955 married the love of her life Robert (Bob) Mauger, a Business Evening Division graduate of LaSalle. Bob and Peggy had two daughters, Maryellen (Mauger) and Suzanne (Bernardi). They eventually moved to Lafayette Hill where Peggy was an active member of St. Philip Neri Women's Guild and a volunteer at St. Philip's School where her daughters attended. In 1969 Bob, Peggy, and their girls moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They led a happy and active life in sunny Florida busy with their work, their children, their friends and their parish. Both of their girls married and they began the fascinating and joyful journey of grandparenting. Sadly, Bob died quickly and peacefully in 1988 two months after his cancer diagnosis. Peggy was always the embodiment of graciousness, love, and faith. These traits were not more evident than during that difficult time. Peggy graduated from Barry University, Miami, in 1989 with a Masters Degree in Theology. She was credentialed as a Pastoral Minister, Bereavement Counselor, and certified as an Annulment Advocate. During her career, more than three hundred Petitioners who applied were granted annulments. Peggy continued to work as an Annulment Advocate for the Tribunal of West Palm Beach for more than two years after her retirement. Prior to her career as a Pastoral Minister, Peggy worked for 12 years as Supervisor of Policies and Procedures at Holy Cross Catholic Hospital in Fort Lauderdale. It was during her time at Holy Cross that Peggy signed her covenant to become an Associate with the Sisters of Mercy. For thirty years Peggy strived to live every day following the core values established by Mercy founder, St. Catherine McAuley, particularly Integrity in Word and Deed. She was an extraordinary example of tolerance for others, accepting all, living a life guided by faith and love. In 2004 Peggy found love again when she met and married a man who matched her great sense of humor and strong faith - Harold Ritchings in Stuart, Florida. Sadly, they were married only 3 months when Harold was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He died two months later. Peggy's sister, Dorothy, also died that year in Jensen Beach, Florida. Again, Peggy relied on her faith to get her through another unexpected tragedy. She moved back to her Philadelphia roots shortly thereafter in 2005. She helped her nephew, John Nicoletti, care for her sister Jeanette and reacquainted herself with the area where she was born. Peggy was the consummate researcher and spent a lot of her time on her hobby of Genealogy. She could frequently be found doing the "Genealogy Dance" when she unearthed new information along the multi-family trees. Eventually, the caregiver needed a caregiver. Peggy's daughter, Maryellen, moved from Florida to give assistance to her mother. Peggy's daughter, Suzy, was also a frequent visitor from North Carolina. Not to be slowed down in the least, Peggy reconnected with Jack McCloskey and began another blessed journey into love and marriage. Knowing the amount of time they had together was limited did not stop Jack and Peggy from enjoying each day to the fullest. Their home was filled with laughter, faith, and a love visible to all who encountered them. Both families blended well and there were frequent visitors to their home at Brightview Senior Living. Throughout her life, Peggy has been a true example of unconditional love, grace, laughter, and faith. She always seemed to find the right words – to comfort, to inspire. She loved fully and unconditionally – her husband, Jack, her children, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews and nieces, other family, and friends. The legacy she left was simple: live life to the fullest and honor God in every thought and deed. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11:00 am on Saturday, September 23 at Epiphany Of Our Lord Church, 3050 Walton Rd., Plymouth Meeting, PA. 19462. Burial will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham. Calling hours will be Saturday, September 23 from 10-11am at Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Epiphany of our Lord Church-3050 Walton Rd. Plymouth Mtg.Pa.19462.