Mrs. Margaret M. "Peggy" Ryan

Margaret M. “Peggy” Ryan Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother Margaret M. “Peggy” Ryan passed away peacefully at home after a period of declining health, during which time her adoring family was by her side. A lifelong resident of Lowell, Peggy was born on February 26th, 1938 to Walter and Gertrude (Whelton) O’Brien. Peggy was a resident of the Belvidere section of Lowell, attended Immaculate Conception School, Keith Hall and graduated from Lowell State Teacher’s College in 1959. Peggy was a dedicated educator throughout her life and worked in Lowell Public Schools as a teacher for over forty years. Peggy was the wife of Edward “Ted” Ryan, who passed away in 2022. Peggy was deeply loyal to her husband Ted, her sons Edward “Ed” Ryan and Terence “Terry” Ryan, and her five grandchildren as well as her lifelong friends in Lowell. Peggy loved bringing people together and had a deep connection to her communities. In particular, she loved having her children and grandchildren around the dining room table for a Sunday dinner, hosting friends and cooking lobsters at their house on Cape Cod or gathering together with her “Coffee Club,” a weekly tradition with dear friends for over fifty years. Peggy was also an incredible and devoted educator to many children throughout Lowell and dedicated her life to Lowell Public Schools. With her grandchildren, she was an incredibly supportive and loving presence, always encouraging her grandchildren to achieve their dreams. She was present at every major milestone whether that was a theater production, track meet or graduation. No matter what, she always had the best book to recommend to them in any situation. Peggy was also deeply devoted to her Church, Immaculate Conception, and the community she prayed with during each mass. Once retired, Peggy and her husband took time to travel in the U.S., including annual trips to Florida and New York City and also traveled to Europe. Peggy was the older sister of Mary Lou, with whom she was best friends. A loving and vibrant person, Peggy always cherished spending quality time with her family and friends complete with a homemade meal, cup of coffee or any other adventure of the day. Peggy is survived by two sons, Ed and his wife Diane (Muldoon) Ryan of Groton, Terry and his wife Kerry (Quealey) Ryan of Andover, and five grandchildren, Sarah, Kelly, Matthew, Alexandra and Emily Ryan. Peggy is predeceased by her sister Mary Lou (O’Brien) Carota and her brother-in-law, Paul Carota. FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE INVIETED TO PEGGY’S CALLING HOURS ON MONDAY MORNING, JUNE 1, 2026 FROM 9 UNTIL 10:30 AM IN THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, 144 EAST MERRIMACK ST. LOWELL. HER FUNERAL MASS WILL FOLLOW AT 11 AM IN THE CHURCH. BURIAL IN ST. MARY’S CEMETERY, TEWKSBURY. AS AN EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY, IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, DONATIONS IN PEGGY’S MEMORY MAY BE MADE TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH BUILDING FUND, 3 FAYETTE ST. LOWELL, MA 01852, OR A CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE.

Mrs. Margaret M. "Peggy" Ryan

February 26, 1938 - May 25, 2026