Margaret "Peggy" Ensor

1946 - 2022

Margaret "Peggy" Ensor

Florence, MA — Margaret "Peggy" L. (Chereski) Ensor, 75, passed peacefully at home on Sunday, February 27, 2022, after a fierce battle with cancer. Peggy passed away surrounded by love and holding hands with her daughters.

Born in Keene, NH on May 1, 1946, to the late John and Margaret (Pebler) Chereski, Peggy grew up in a close-knit neighborhood in Florence. She loved ice skating at Arcanum Field and riding her bike to Look Park for a swim. A member of Northampton High School's class of 1964, she was a multi-sport varsity athlete, a member of the Art Club, and has since been involved with planning reunions and class efforts to support NHS student scholarships.

Peggy's adventurous spirit was well-known. She loved to travel and made friends wherever she visited and lived across the country. Our memories of Peggy are memories of her in action. Riding her motorcycle down a California highway with her long braid dancing in the wind. Sending french fries back at restaurants because they weren't burnt enough. Laughing with her two daughters, four grandchildren, and five great grandchildren over Friendly's Jim Dandy sundaes.

Aside from her family, Peggy's life-long passion was sewing. She started sewing as a child and became an expert from whom artisans sought guidance for design and construction. She made costumes for dance and stage productions, and clothes and quilts for loved ones as well as making countless brides look stunning in custom gowns on their wedding day. You have probably seen her work at craft fairs and art galleries all over the Pioneer Valley.

Peggy taught sewing at Hill Institute, to 4-H clubs, Girl Scout troops and to all who wanted to learn. Peggy's professional accolades were numerous, but she was most proud of breaking the glass ceiling and becoming the first woman to manage a Singer sewing machine store in the US. She received a gold men's watch for earning the top sales in the country. Singer did not yet make a watch for women, so she gifted the watch to her father. Peggy could take apart and rebuild any sewing machine, saving antique machines for the next generation. Her passions also included gardening for which she won "best curb appeal" at her Virginia home and baking highly decorated specialty cakes. Her many talents and years of volunteerism are too numerous to mention.

Besides her parents, John and Margaret Chereski; she was also predeceased by her husband Leonard Ensor, and sister-in-law Deborah Chereski.

She is survived by her daughters: Holly (Cooper) Martineau and Amy (Cooper) Corbett. She considered her sons-in-law, Steven Martineau and Luke Corbett her sons and bragged to everyone who would listen how helpful they were to her. Peggy's granddaughters: Brianna (Martineau) McCormick, Savannah Phillips, Hayley (Phillips) Moriarty and Allie Martineau will all miss their Grammy's quick wit and sass. Peggy counted five great grandchildren among her greatest blessings: Maxwell, Sophie, Ramona, Connor, and JJ. Peggy is also survived by her sister Angeline Chereski of NC, her brother John Chereski of Florence, aunt Angeline Pebler of NJ, several beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends she considered family.

Calling hours will be Friday, March 4, 2022, from 10-11:30 AM at the DROZDAL FUNERAL HOME, 120 Damon Rd., Northampton followed by a Celebration of her Life with family and friends.

Peggy's daughters' ask in lieu of flowers gifts be made to Look Park, 300 N Main St, Florence, MA 01062, please note the gift is in memory of Peggy Chereski Ensor.

For more information or to leave the family a personal condolence, please visit Drozdalfuneralhome.com