Margaret A. Peabody

Margaret Peabody Obituary Margaret Agnes Peabody (Keane), fondly known as "Margie" to her family and friends, formerly a long-time resident of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2025, with her family at her side.
Margie was born on August 24, 1929, at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MA, to the late Helen J. (Wood) and John T. Keane. She was the oldest of four children who were brought up and educated in Belmont, MA. Margie spent many happy days with her maternal grandmother in Montpelier, Vermont throughout her childhood. Margie graduated from Belmont High School in 1947; she enjoyed playing field hockey and took her studies very seriously, graduating at the top of her class.
After High School, Margie attended Chamberlain School of Retailing and entered Filene's executive training program and became a buyer for Filene's Department Stores.
In her young adult life, Margie enjoyed spending time with friends and helping her younger siblings. She joined a ski club and spent many weekends in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Margie met her future husband, Lester Peabody, while on one of those skiing weekends.
Margie and Les married and settled down in Wilmington, MA, to raise their family of six children. Her life became full of neighborhood friendships, skiing at Boston Hill, and vacationing at Halfmoon Lake with extended family. She was a troop leader for Boy Scouts and taught religious education classes at St. Dorothy's Church for many years. Margie was also a steadfast advocate for educational access for disabled children.
Margie returned to school and graduated with a bachelor's degree from Salem State College and enrolled in a Master's degree program through Emerson College. She went to work as a paraprofessional for the Wilmington School system and ended her career in education as a speech pathologist with the Tyngsboro School system. Margie was a strong believer that education is the great equalizer and fought for the rights of all to access as much education as possible.
Margie, along with her son Keith, spent years competing in golf tournaments with the Massachusetts Special Olympics. She loved gardening and could spend hours arranging and caring for her flower beds.
When Margie became a grandmother, she was overjoyed with the nine children in the next generation. Margie loved being a grandmother and made room in her life to build a special relationship with each one of her grandchildren. Visits to Grammy's house often included baking cookies, playing games, reading books and running around in the yard. Trips with Grammy included picking berries, Elderhostel trips and days at Orange Lake Resort in Florida.
Margie enjoyed painting, gifting her children with many pieces of her artwork. She was a member of the Yankee Doodle Clogging group where she performed in many parades. She had many years of camping with the Hot Rivets camping group where they traveled all over New England.
Margie was the devoted mother of Lester H. Peabody III & his wife Patricia (Murphy) of Londonderry, NH, Mark F. Peabody & his wife Nancy (McDonald) of Londonderry, NH, Elizabeth Peabody & her wife Dianne Harhigh of Concord, NH, Christopher J. Peabody and his wife Eleanor (Novak) of Londonderry, NH, Keith Peabody of Tewksbury, MA, formerly of Wilmington, MA, and the late Susan M. Peabody. Loving grandmother of Lester IV, Samantha, Caitlin, Michael, Meredith, Nathan, Julia, Jonathan, Jacqueline, and 9 great-grandchildren Thomas, Lily, Jacob, Jeremian, Wesley, Walter, Conor, Ryan, and Sophia. Dear sister of Mary Durakis of Naples, FL, John Keane of Framingham, MA, and the late Helen Wright. Margie is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Visiting Hours will be held at the Nichols Funeral Home on Monday, October 6th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. All are welcome to gather at the Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 7th at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Thomas Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington at 10:30 a.m. Interment will take place in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Margaret's memory may be made to Special Olympics Massachusetts, 512 Forest Street, Marlborough, MA 01752.
To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com
Services

Visitation
Monday
October 6, 2025
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Nichols Funeral Home
187 Middlesex Ave
Wilmington, MA 01887

Funeral Mass
Tuesday
October 7, 2025
10:30 AM
St. Thomas of Villanova Church
126 Middlesex Avenue
Wilmington, MA 01887

Interment
Tuesday
October 7, 2025
11:45 AM
Wildwood Cemetery
233 Middlesex Ave.
Wilmington, MA 01887