Obituary of Margaret E. Pugh

Margaret Ellen Pugh of New York, New York passed away on June 23, 2014 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center in Watchung, NJ after a long illness. Margaret was born at home in Bayside, Queens, on January 13, 1935, to Harry and Nora Pugh. The second youngest of nine children, she had five brothers and three sisters. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from College Misericordia and a Master of Arts degree in Communications in Education from New York University. She was a Sister of Mercy for 17 years, an elementary school teacher, taught piano, conducted elementary school glee clubs and children's church choirs, and was one of the founders of the Instructional Television Center for the Rockville Centre Diocese. For 25 years, she also worked in the corporate world as an executive secretary. Margaret opted for early retirement in order to take advantage of all that New York City had to offer and to spend time doing what she enjoyed most, including serving as a docent at St. Patrick's Cathedral and at the Abigail Adams Smith Museum. At St. Malachy's – The Actor's Chapel, Margaret was a tireless volunteer and trustee, a lector, and a passionate supporter of the restoration and installation of the Paul Creston Memorial Pipe Organ. She was predeceased by her brothers Harry Pugh, Joe Pugh and Richard Pugh; and by her sisters Gladys Pugh, Mary Decker and Patricia Carey. Surviving are her brothers, Charles Pugh of San Diego, California and Edward Pugh of New York, New York. In addition she is survived by five nephews, six nieces, twelve grandnephews, four grandnieces and many friends. She will be especially missed by her niece, Patricia Carey of Caldwell, New Jersey and by her nephew Dennis Carey of Denville, New Jersey, his wife Diane and their three children, Timothy, Brian and Christopher. A Memorial Mass to celebrate her life will be offered at St. Malachy's R.C. Church, 239 W. 49th St., New York, New York 10019 on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 11:00 am. Arrangements are in care of the Codey & Jones Funeral Home of Caldwell, NJ. A private inurnment will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Caldwell, New Jersey. In her memory donations may be made to "Concerts at St. Malachy's Fund", St. Malachy's Church, c/o Mark Pacoe, 239 West 49th Street, New York, New York 10019. Words of Remembrance by her niece, Patty Carey John 14: 1-6 (NIV) 1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." When I was six years old, I went to see my Aunt Margaret direct the St. Boniface children's glee club in Sea Cliff, Long Island. This is my earliest recollection of her. On that day, the glee club performed excerpts from "The Sound of Music." I was enthralled … and so, in honor of these first memories of my Aunt, I'd like to share with you "a few of my favorite things" about her. I hope that my words bring back a few of your favorite memories of her, too. Margaret Ellen Pugh was born at home in Bayside, Queens, on January 13, 1935, to Harry and Nora Pugh. The second youngest of nine children, she had five brothers and three sisters. She was known to her family as Margaret, Aunt Margaret or Auntie M; to her friends as Peggy or Miss P; and for 17 years, as Sister Deborah, when she was a Sister of Mercy. Aunt Margaret was a woman of deep faith who loved the Lord and her church. She loved her family, her friends and her cats. She loved music and, in particular, the piano. In her 1991 Carnegie Hall Recital program, Aunt Margaret wrote, "From the time I was a little girl I had been magnetically drawn by the sounds of beautiful music - - especially those produced by the hammers and strings of pianos." She also loved her "Edwardian Mansion." This museum quality miniature doll house, complete with electricity, was designed and built by hand by her brother Edward and decorated with miniature oils painted by her brother Charlie. The "Edwardian Mansion" was always displayed in a place of honor everywhere that she lived. And, oh how she loved the view from her East 29th Street rooftop. Every guest was invited to join her on the roof to enjoy the spectacular view that it offered. From here, she watched the Macy's 4th of July fireworks and witnessed the collapse of the World Trade towers. She loved to play the lottery and was always hoping to someday win the "big one" - - not for selfish reasons but to help others. Aunt Margaret was a generous and caring woman. She never had a lot of money but always did what she could to help those in need. In 2003, for example, she performed a benefit recital to celebrate the 100th birthday of St. Malachy's and the 25th anniversary of Encore Community Services, a Catholic charity that addresses the needs of those whose lives have been disrupted by poverty, homelessness, and mental and/or physical frailty. As she walked the streets of Manhattan, Aunt Margaret would also hand out cards to the homeless, which she printed herself, informing them of various locations throughout the city where they could receive a free meal. Aunt Margaret loved to move and could recite all of the addresses of the forty-eight places where she had lived! My favorite "Aunt Margaret moving story" dates back to the summer of 1975. That was the year she decided that she wanted to move to California. In preparation for this move, she sold everything she owned except for what she could pack into her car. Her brother Richard, who lived in San Jose, flew to New York to help with the cross-country drive. I was invited to join them on this adventure and to spend a few weeks vacationing in California before I started my senior year in high school. After living only one week in California Aunt Margaret decided that it was time to move again back to New York! My trip to California lasted two weeks longer than Aunt Margaret's! That's just the way she was. Aunt Margaret was a well-educated and articulate woman. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from College Misericordia and a Master of Arts in Communications in Education from New York University. She was an elementary school teacher, taught piano, conducted elementary school glee clubs and children's church choirs, and was one of the founders of the Instructional Television Center for the Rockville Centre Diocese. For 25 years, she also worked in the corporate world as an administrative assistant or executive secretary. She opted for early retirement in order to take advantage of all that New York City had to offer and to spend time doing what she enjoyed most, including serving as a docent at St. Patrick's Cathedral and at the Abigail Adams Smith Museum. Here at St. Malachy's, Aunt Margaret was a tireless volunteer and trustee, a lector, and a passionate supporter of the restoration and installation of the Paul Creston Memorial Pipe Organ. I'm sure you'll all agree that Margaret was a wonderful conversationalist, with a flair for the dramatic, an individual who had a unique way of expressing herself. She never held a party; she always hosted a "soiree." She didn't live in New York City; she resided in her "beloved Manhattan." And when leaving, she never said good-bye, but always "toodle-pip!" Aunt Margaret … because I believe that you knew the Way, I picture you now in the room that God has prepared for you - - playing your piano, having a "nice" cup of coffee with your sisters Mary and Pat, engaging in wonderful conversation, and enjoying a soiree with the ultimate view that only heaven can offer! So Auntie M, until we meet again, toodle-pip!