Margaret Elizabeth "Peg" Bilbow

"Peg"

Margaret Elizabeth Bilbow Margaret Elizabeth "Peg" Bilbow, age 93, of Montclair, Virginia formerly of Pittston, Pennsylvania, passed away September 19, 2010 peacefully at her home.

Born in Pittston, Pennsylvania on September 2, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Patrick and Winifred Lynch. She graduated as valedictorian of her class from Pittston High School, received a Bachelor's Degree from College Misericordia where she was a member of Kappa Gamma Pi, the National Catholic College Honor Society, and earned a Master's Degree from the University of Scranton. She was a member of St Elizabeth Seton Church, Lakeridge, Virginia. Prior to moving to Virginia in 1985, she was a member of St. Mary Help of Christians Church in Pittston. Before her retirement in 1984, she was employed by the Pittston Area School District as a Vice Principal and later District Principal. Previously, she taught chemistry at Pittston Area, Hughestown and Duryea High Schools and was one of the first women employed as a chemist with the Scoville Brass Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during World War II. Throughout her life Mrs. Bilbow enjoyed pursuing her interests in literature, art and writing. She is a true example of a life-long learner. She loved to travel and enjoyed trips to Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Korea, and in her seventies transited the Panama Canal. Also in her seventies she pursued a dream and enrolled in art lessons. Her paintings are proudly hung in the homes of her children, grandchildren and friends. They are precious reminders of her many talents. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Bilbow; daughter, Betsy; son, Edward (Neddy), grandson, Chip Bechtold and son-in-law, Dennis Malloy. Three sisters, Winifred, Mary and Jean as well as two brothers, Al and John, also preceded her in death.

"Mom" as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and is survived by a sister, Verna Judge, her daughter Margaret (Peggy) and husband Earl Bechtold; daughters, Sheila Coyne and Patrice Malloy; grandchildren, Mara, Mark, Megan, Elizabeth, Michael, Margie, Maura, Dean and great grandchildren, Kassie, Ka Cee, Matthew, Aidan, Stella, Riley, Mary Catherine, Eleanor, Samuel, Sophie, Isabel, Eli, Joshua, McKenzie, Emily, Caroline and Christopher. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends, who delighted in her intelligence, gentle spirit and eloquence.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church Woodbridge Va at 10:30 a.m. October 1st. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Mary's Help of Christians Church, Pittston, Pennsylvania on October 16th 10 a.m. with interment following in the parish cemetery. Special thanks and appreciation to the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Eucharistic ministers and her other caregivers for their faithful service to our mother.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Misericordia University Office of Development, 301 Lake Street, Dallas, PA 18612-9973. Mountcastle Turch Life Celebration Home, 4143 Dale Boulevard, Dale City, VA is in charge of arrangements.




This obituary was originally published in the News & Messenger (Woodbridge, VA).