Margaret "Peg" Coogan

It is with great sadness that the family of Margaret Mary “Peg” Coogan announces her passing at Country Meadows Hospice Care on September 25, 2013, just shy of her 90th birthday, October 7.

Peg was born in Staten Island, New York. She is predeceased by her Irish immigrant parents, Agnes and Timothy and her brother, John, who died at nine months of age. Pegs fondness of Ireland was always present in her spirit, pride and love of her Irish heritage.

Peg was a member of St. Sylvesters Parish in Concord, Staten Island, where she was baptized and confirmed. Peg graduated from the Packard School of Business in the midst of WWII. Wanting to “do her part”, Peg took a job at the Department of War in Brooklyn. She was given a war service appointment as a civilian officer. Peg was the only secretary who could take and transcribe shorthand. She frequently handled secret war information. Her fondest memory was the calls from General Eisenhower in Europe, whom she described as, “salty and demanding but a true leader.” He called her Maggie.

After the war, Peg began her long career with Bethlehem Steel Corp in New York. She worked her way up to Executive Secretary to the Treasurer, Harold Sweeney. She left her beloved home in Staten Island to join the corporate headquarters in Bethlehem. In 1976, Peg ended her career when Bethlehem Steel ended theirs.

Peg remained in Bethlehem, where she formed lasting friendships and a strong connection to Ss Simon & Jude Parish, of which she was a benefactor. Peg received several honors, including the Bishops award as a member of The Legacy Society. She also received a ten year recognition as a volunteer at Muhlenberg Hospital now called Lehigh Valley. As a volunteer at Country Meadows, Peg decided that this would be the place she would like to spend her final days.

Peg enjoyed reading, playing cards, and the piano and singing Irish tunes. She knew all four stanzas of “Danny Boy” and sang the song with an Irish brogue. She loved to travel. Her favorite destination was, of course, Ireland, with Las Vegas as a close second. Peg drove her 1989 car, “Old Betsy” into her eighties and, we hear its still on the road.

Peg will be missed by all her cousins on both sides of the pond. In lieu of flowers, please say an Ava, put on some Irish music and raise your glass to celebrate Pegs wonderful life.

A wake will be held at The Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 on Monday, October 14, 2013 from 2-4 PM and 7-9PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Ss Simon & Jude Catholic church, 730 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018 on Tuesday at 9 AM. Peg will be laid to rest with her cousin and best friend, Mary Egan in St. Peters Cemetery in Staten Island after the funeral mass at Ss Simon & Jude.

Cemetery
St. Peters Cemetery
52 Tyler Avenue
Staten Island NY 10310
US

Visitation
Monday, October 14, 2013
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Connell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Visitation
Monday, October 14, 2013
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Connell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Mass of Christian Burial
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
9:00 AM
SS Simon & Jude Catholic Church
730 W. Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US

Funeral HomeConnell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA - 18018
US
610-868-8531