MARGARET T. MELIA (LAVIN)

     Margaret T. (Lavin) Melia, 88, of Worcester, died Sunday Jan. 26, 2014 at UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester after a short illness. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Martin W. Melia.

     Peggy leaves a daughter, Kathleen and her husband David Smith; a son, James W. Melia and his wife Brenda; five grandchildren, David Smith and his wife Heather, Meaghan and Katie Smith, and Matthew and Larissa Melia; and two great grandchildren, Zoey and Nathan Smith, all of Worcester. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Lavin. She also leaves a sister, Mary (Lavin) Tyrrell of Wellesley Hills, and two sisters-in-law, Mary Lavin and June Lavin, both of Worcester. She leaves many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, William and Joseph Lavin; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Helen Melia; a nephew, Douglas Melia; and a niece, Patricia Tyrrell.

     Peggy graduated from Commerce High School. She worked for many years for the Worcester Gas Company, First National Markets, and Iandoli and Shaws supermarkets.

     Peggy was a founding member of St. Joan of Arc parish in Worcester. She was an active member of the Worcester County St. Patrick’s Parade Committee. She was a devout Catholic and her faith and Irish heritage were part of her daily life.

     Peggy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who enjoyed traveling and vacations down the Cape with her family, which gave her enormous joy.

     Peggy’s family wishes to thank the staff on the 7th floor ICU unit at UMass Memorial Medical Center for their wonderful care and compassion.

     Calling hours are Wednesday Jan. 29, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. The funeral will be held on Thursday Jan. 30, from the funeral home with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Joan of Arc Church, 570 Lincoln St. Worcester. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.

     In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Peggy’s name to the American Diabetes Association , 10 Speen Street, 2nd Floor, Framingham, Massachusetts, 01701.