G. "Peggy Jalbert" McGreal

Portland & Van Buren Cove--- Gloria "Peggy" McGreal, 97, passed away peacefully July 10, 2025, in the peaceful serenity of the family camp. She was born September 24, 1927 in St. Francis, a daughter of the late Sam and Delia (Jandreau) Jalbert. Peggy, along with a couple of siblings moved to New York. She worked at Toots Shore where she met a few celebrities, including Joe DiMaggio and Jackie Gleason. Peggy married the love of her life James (Jim) McGreal in 1949 in New York and raised their family in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Peggy was a devoted wife and mother and adored watching her children grow. After her children were raised, Peggy, husband and son, Jim went into renovating, rehabbing apartment and selling them as co-ops, in the Park Slope area of Brooklyn. Every summer she would return to Maine and "the county" with her family in tow. Following their retirement in 2002, Peggy and her husband relocated to Portland, Me. and summered on Van Buren Cove on Long Lake. She enjoyed many sports, including golf, where she "aced" two holes-in-one during her lifetime; and bowling for fun and in leagues, receiving awards for high score and sportsmanship. Peggy enjoyed socializing and spent many evenings playing cards with her family and friends. Although competitive, she kept things fun and fair. She had a beautiful soprano voice and sang in several church choirs. In her "spare time" she taught herself quilting and created hundreds of beautiful quilts, taking great pleasure in gifting them to family and friends. She is survived by two children, Jim McGreal and his wife JoAnn; daughter in-law, Karen McGreal of Brooklyn and Dee Saintcross, of Portland; seven grandchildren: James, Dominick, Cullen, Sean, Shamra, Devin and Birttany; eight great grandchildren: Kylie, Mike, Emmett, Dom, Theo, Quinn, Lily and Abby and many nieces and nephews. She was truly loved by all and admired for her generosity, strength, perseverance, courage, sense of humor delicious cooking. She was quick with a smile, helping hand and encouragement. Once asked, "if able, what one thing in your life would you change?" She promptly responded "nothing", adding she loved and was happy with her life and recognizing that one change would alter everything else. Besides her parents, Peggy was predeceased by her loving husband, Jim McGreal, a son, Mike McGreal, and all of her ten siblings, Maynard, Irvin, Earl, Pat, Phil, Rex, Ray, and George Jalbert, Lorraine Rhodes, and Elizabeth Pecoraro. She was the first-born girl, after 6 boys, which likely contributed to her father instilling in her the belief that she could do anything her older brothers could do and her mother's cooking and caregiving skills. At Peggy's request, memorial services will be private and at the convenience of her family. In lieu of flowers, donations or contributions in Peggy's name may be made to one of Peggy's passions involving life, love of children and animals, or love of "America the beautiful". To share condolences online, please visit www.LajoieFuneralHome.com