Margaret Zita Considine passed away Friday, June 28, 2019 after a brief illness. She was 88 years old. The only child of Daniel S. Considine and K. Sophia O’Leary Considine, she was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts on August 25, 1930 and maintained a lifelong connection to the city. An accomplished and dedicated educator throughout her life, she remained passionate throughout about opportunities to learn and to teach. Her own education started at Sacred Hearts Academy in Fairhaven, Massachusetts from which she graduated in 1948. Next, she pursued her bachelor’s degree, graduating from Salve Regina University in 1952. In 1961 she earned a master’s degree in K-12 Education from Bridgewater State University and also earned guidance and principal certificates from Boston University and Long Island University. She would later study public health and nutrition at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana and while there spent time as a member of the European Study Group.
Ms. Considine began her career as an educator in 1952, teaching Home Economics in the New Bedford Public School System until 1962. During that same time period, she was also an accomplished fashion designer and entrepreneur, having opened her own fashion design salon “The House of Pegeen” in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1953. A decade later, in 1963, she moved to Great Neck, New York after being recruited to lead the Family & Consumer Science education programs at Herricks Senior High School in New Hyde Park, New York. Ms. Considine would remain at Herricks for more than 30 years, until her retirement in 1994. During that time, she was an award winning educator specialized in her field of study and recognized through profiles in The New York Times and New York Post. During the 1970’s she held various leadership positions with the New York State Home Economics Teachers Association, including as Editor of the “News Capsule” and as Advertising Manager. During the late 1970’s she was engaged as a specialized Educational Materials Consultant for the Hershey Company Great American Chocolate Factory.
Outside of her professional career, Ms. Considine was passionate about the performing arts, particularly jazz music, and was an avid supporter of the same. Through to her very last days she could be found as a regular patron of the finest establishments in New York City and Long Island known for their live music. Never one to forget her roots, Margaret remained dedicated throughout life to her large and extended family and always held great pride in being a Considine of New Bedford.
Margaret Considine is survived by many O’Leary and Considine cousins.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday July 6, 2019 at 10 AM at St. Lawrence Church, 565 County St., New Bedford. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Friday July 5, 2019 from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.