Margaret Mary (“Peggy”) O’Shea Freeman passed away at the age of 72 on February 13, 2014 at the Joe Raso Hospice Residence, surrounded by her loving family. Peggy was born on November 21, 1941 to the late Dr. John and Anne Woods O’Shea in Hoboken, NJ. She grew up in Rumson, NJ and spent her summers on Fishers Island, NY, of which she had many fond memories. A graduate of St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing, NYC, Peggy incorporated her nursing skills and gift of empathy into every aspect of her life. On June 29, 1963, Peggy and James J. Freeman, Jr. (“Jim”) were married at Holy Cross Church in Rumson, NJ. As newlyweds, Peggy and Jim made their home in Haverstraw, NY and Peggy worked as a pediatric nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital until they began their family. In 1968, as their family grew, they moved to Valley Cottage and became active parishioners of St. Paul Church.
Peggy lived a life of service to others. Among her many charitable activities, for more than 25 years she was a loyal volunteer for Birthright International, an organization that helps women in crisis pregnancies. Peggy was a leader of the Right of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program at St. Paul Church. She also volunteered with T.O.U.C.H., a support group for people with AIDS, and served on the board of Holy Rosary Academy in Union City, NJ. In 1997, St. Thomas Aquinas College honored Jim and Peggy for their generous donation of time and commitment to the college.
Peggy was a founding and life-long member of the St. Paul Fellowship of Hope Prayer Group, where she made treasured friendships. A lady of her convictions and deep spirituality, Peggy could always be counted on for good counsel and never denied a request for help.
There was always a good meal, good company and an open door at Jim and Peggy’s home where everyone was welcome. Her passing leaves a void in the hearts of all those she loved and those who loved her in return. Peggy was a woman who lived the principles of her Catholic faith and was a true role model of daughter, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and friend.
Jim and Peggy made many happy memories with dear friends in their many travels. A talented sports enthusiast, Peggy loved to play tennis, paddle tennis and golf, and distinguished herself with a ‘hole-in-one’. She balanced her many activities while keeping ‘the backyard pool’ up and running with the endless entertaining of friends and family. “She looketh well to the ways of her household and eateth not the bread of idleness.” This quote from Proverbs was clearly written with Peggy in mind. Peggy was a “hands on” grandmother and gave each grandchild her undivided attention. Jim and Peggy’s greatest joy was in witnessing the accomplishments of their five children and fourteen grandchildren, delighting in each and every one of them. Peggy loved to play cards and enjoyed teaching her grandchildren how to play.
Peggy is survived by her loving husband Jim; son James and wife Ann and children Angelina, James and Margaret; daughter Ellen Loftus and husband Patrick and children Anne, Emily and Erin; daughter Mary Anne Brndjar and children Daniel and Alexa; daughter Alexis Metcalf and husband Brian, and children Faith, Brian, Christopher and Mary Kate; son Gregory and wife Laura and children Elizabeth and Thomas. Peggy is also survived by her sisters Marie McCloskey and Nancy Devlin, brothers John O’Shea and Daniel O’Shea, numerous nieces and nephews of the O’Shea and Freeman families and a multitude of caring and loving friends.
“What we leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” Such was Peggy’s life for which we are most grateful.
Visiting hours will be on Monday, February 17th and Tuesday, February 18th from 2:00–4:00 p.m. and 7:00–9:00 p.m. at Anthony R. Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, February 19th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Church, 82 Lake Road West, Congers, NY with interment to follow at Gethsemane Cemetery, Rockland Lake, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to United Hospice of Rockland, 11 Stokum Lane, New City, NY 10956 or the Take a Breather Foundation, PO Box 752, Narberth, PA 19072. The Take a Breather Foundation was established by Peggy’s nephew, Matthew McCloskey, to grant wishes for children with cystic fibrosis (www.takeabreather.net).
www,pizzifuneralhome.com