Margaret Philomenia (Horkan) McHugh

Peggy Philomenia McHugh, 89, died peacefully at home in Wayne, New Jersey, on June 29, 2020, with Edward McHugh, her loving husband of 65 years, by her side.

Peggy served others. She lived a purposeful life devoted to God, to her husband, and to her children. She was an avid Maker: sewer, knitter, quilter, baker, cook, and so much more.

Born October 16, 1931, to the late Anne (Annie) Waldron and John Horkan, in Aughamore, located in the province of Connaught, County Mayo, Ireland. They grew up 3 miles from Knock, County Mayo, Ireland. Peggy survived her four sisters Annie, Mary, Kathleen, and Nellie. Her Mother taught Peggy to cook over a fire, in the hearth, in a thatched-roof cottage without indoor plumbing nor electricity. Her father worked in England, as did most of the men from the village.

Peggy Philomenia Horkan married Edward McHugh on July 14, 1956. Their first son, Terrance Leo, was born April 19, 1957. That year, Edward moved to New York City, and trained as an engineer, while back in Ireland, Peggy cared for her Uncle Tommy until his death.

On July 14, 1961, Peggy and her 4 year-old son Terrance re-joined Edward in New York, arriving at Idlewilde Airport on a Trans World Airlines flight. The McHughs lived in Ozone Park, Queens for many years, and attended St. Elizabeth’s Church. Living in Ozone Park, Peggy gave birth to Ana, Thomas, Mary, and Barbara. She also worked out of the home, helping others, care-giving and hospice work, in addition to her full-time job as a wife and a mother of 5, riding her bicycle, and navigating the new world of Queens, New York, United States.

Years after Edward’s retirement from Delta Airlines, Peggy moved from Ozone Park to Rockaway Park, right on the boardwalk, and enjoyed many years of friendships with old friends from Ireland and new neighbors in Belle Harbor. Peggy survived Hurricane Sandy. She attended and served at St. Francis DeSales Church.

For the last 2 years of her life, Peggy lived with her family, eventually settling in Wayne, NJ.

Peggy is survived by her beloved husband Edward McHugh, her sons Terrance and Thomas, her daughters Ana, Mary and Barbara, her grandchildren Minter, Pharen, Madeline, Jameson, Isabella, Maxiel, Brian and Michael, great grandchildren Sawyer and Piper, son-in-law Sergio, and daughters-in-law Denise and Denise.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Peggy McHugh to:

AABR, Inc. Check memo line: for Mary McHugh/memory of Peggy McHugh

Mailing Address: AABR, Inc. 1508 College Point Blvd. College Point, NY 11356

Online address: www.aabr.org

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