Margaret Jean Tighe

Margaret J. Tighe, Peggy, of New Providence, New Jersey, passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, October 13. She was born to James and Margaret Crann on March 1, 1932, in Newark, New Jersey. She graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, New Jersey, in 1949 and then attended Berkeley Secretarial School. She began her working girl life for Public Service Electric & Gas.
She met Robert James Tighe of Millburn, New Jersey, on a blind date, and they were married on September 22, 1956, at Sacred Heart Church in Newark. They lived in an apartment at 88 Walnut Street in East Orange, where their two daughters were born, before lighting out for the territory of the Jersey suburbs. They settled into a new development in New Providence, where they would live for 62 years. They welcomed two sons and established themselves in the neighborhood, community, and parish.
Peggy was involved in her children's schools and Our Lady of Peace Church. She was active in the Rosary Altar Society, worked on bake sales, and washed and ironed the priests' vestments. She belonged to the Crane Circle bridge club and the knitting club, although she never learned how to knit. She and Robert entertained frequently. They started a gourmet club with friends, hosted large family celebrations, and served tea and cookies on the patio to neighbors passing by, despite Peg's aversion to cooking. She welcomed everyone with a smile and would say, "Can you sit with me?"
Peggy loved saying the rosary and going to mass, spending a day at the shore, taking country drives to see fall foliage, and talking on the phone daily with her mother, children, and lifelong friends. Her family was her world, and she was theirs. To all, she served as biggest supporter, tolerant confidant, and moral compass. She was truly the Peg O' Our Hearts.
Margaret was preceded in death by Robert, her husband of 67 years; her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Eileen and Richard Coughlin; and many more cherished family members. She is survived by her children Mary (John) Longo, Elizabeth Tighe, Robert (Suzanne) Tighe, and James (Kimberly) Tighe; nieces Anne (Ken) Clevenger, Mary Elizabeth (Tom) Gaffney, and Carolyn (Bob) Raiman; nephew Richard (Kimberly) Coughlin; grandchildren John (Maeve Gavagan) Longo, Robert Longo, Margaret Mary Tighe, Anne Tighe, Deirdre Tighe, Jack Tighe, Samantha Tighe, Michael Tighe, and James Tighe; and great-grandchildren Rosalia and Catherine Longo.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Lady of Peace Food Pantry (please select OLP Food Pantry) or the Covenant House.