Belmont – Marguerite “Peggy” O'Neil White of Belmont, New Hampshire died on Thursday December 25th, 2014 after a brief illness.
Peggy was born in Manchester, NH on September 21, 1943. She was the daughter of Beatrice (Brown) and Maurice O'Neil. She spent her entire childhood growing up in Manchester. She attended Manchester schools and trade school. In 1964, she married Stephen White and they moved to California and started a family. Nothing made Peggy happier than being a mom and then a grandmother.
After starting a family in California, she moved with her family to Manchester, Hooksett and Gilmanton NH before she finally settled her later years in Belmont. She enjoyed a variety of careers throughout her years. She owned her own business out of her home in Gilmanton called “Country House Plastics” for many years. She worked at National Power Products in Belmont and then she worked as a cashier at Gus' Country Store (now known as D&D) in Belmont. She enjoyed serving the public and many regulars knew her by name at the store.
Throughout Peggy's life, she enjoyed spending all her time with her children and grandchildren. Many days were spent visiting Rye Beach, York Beach Lighthouse, Kennebunkport, Maine, camping throughout Maine and NH and boating on Lake Winnipesaukee. Family and closest friends knew her as “Mae,” the woman that could always keep people laughing and feed them well. She would make her favorite dishes and have over friends and family all the time. You never left Peggy's house hungry. She would love to make hearty dishes and give them to people in the community that needed a meal. Peggy loved to tell stories and feed everyone she knew.
Peggy is survived by her daughter Colleen Benavides and her husband Gus of Gilford, her son, Steve White and his wife Jennifer, of Gilmanton. She is also survived by her most loved 5 grandchildren: Saige Benavides of Boston MA, Malcolm Benavides of Boston MA, Noelle Benavides of Gilford NH, Carly White of Gilmanton NH and Cameron White of Gilmanton NH. She is survived by her sister Arlene Field of Manchester NH, her brothers Jim O'Neil of Belmont NH and Bill O'Neil and his wife Teri of Manchester NH and many nieces and nephews as well as her faithful dog Maggie. She was predeceased by her sister Mildred O'Neil, brothers Maurice “Sparky” O'Neil and Richard O'Neil and her ex-husband Steve White.
We would like to extend our appreciation to the Nurses, LNA's and Aides that assisted Peggy at Lakes Region General Hospital during her time there as well as Central NH Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice out of Laconia. Their kindheartedness, dedication and compassion during Peggy's final days were absolutely secondary to none and extremely impressive. To our extended family members and warmhearted friends, we are grateful for your support and love during the past two months.
To follow Peggy's wishes, there will be no calling hours. Peggy's life long wish was to be remembered by her loving laugh and ability to cook a great meal, so Peggy will be honored at a family luncheon on February 7th at 1PM at the home of her daughter and son-in-law Colleen and Gus Benavides at 35 Larch Drive in Gilford NH.
In lieu of flowers, please support our local community in Peggy's memory by making donations to St. Vincent de Paul's Food Pantry PO Box 6123 Lakeport, NH 03247 as well as Central NH Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice 780 North Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is in charge of the arrangements.