Margaret A. “Peg” (Luz) Moriarty
DANVILLE, NH - Margaret A. “Peg” (Luz) Moriarty, 93, a nearly lifelong Lowell resident, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at home on Sunday, December 15. She was the widow of the late Francis X. Moriarty, former principal of the Reilly School for over 25 years.
She was born on April 11, 1931, in Lowell and was a daughter of the late Anthony T. Luz and the late Cidalia P. (Pequeno) Luz. She was educated in Lowell, a graduate of Butler Junior High School and later Lowell High School with the Class of 1948. While at Lowell High she was the first Captain of the Girl Officer’s Regiment, the first President of the Junior and Senior Class and Treasurer of the National Honor Society. She was also a member of the Spanish club, the science club, the special chorus as a soloist in the high school show. After school, she was active in charitable work as a young woman and participated in many bake sales. She also worked at Prince Cotter Jewelers and even had time to play the comedy lead in the Sacred Heart Church play.
She furthered her education at Lowell Commercial College, while studying she worked as a legal secretary for Max Goldiner and Max Stoller. She also sang with the USO during the Korean War and also worked at the post office located at Fort Devens.
She moved onto Lowell Tech evening school for the next 3 1/2 years. She also found the time to attain her real estate license in the 1960’s which she held for the rest of her life. Additionally, she took courses in gourmet cooking and made cakes for all occasions over the years. She also took courses in photography and in flower arranging. Whatever the medium, Peg was a gifted artist her entire life and never stopped learning.
In 1971, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Lowell State College where she also won a Gold Key and minored in the Classics, a first in her time. From 1972 until 1992 she taught in the Lowell School System and in 2000 was chosen as one of the top twenty teachers in the city for having the most influence in their lives. This was voted on by the students. She never stopped teaching.
Peg was an eternal optimist and always stayed positive and never complained regardless of whatever situation she was in. She somehow found time for reading, gardening, sewing, cooking, baking, designing, flower arranging, photography and she was an avid tennis player, considered considered one of the best female tennis players in the city. Above all else, aside from everything else mentioned, her greatest joy in life was being a mother.
She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Martha A. Moriarty Gaedcke and her husband Donald of Beaufort, SC; two sons, Jonathan F. Moriarty and his wife Gail of Danville, NH and Dr. Timothy F. X. Moriarty of Altamonte Springs, FL; two grandchildren, Kathryne G. Moriarty and Connor P. Moriarty both of Danville, NH, her sister in law, Helene Decoursey of Wells, Maine and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and godchildren.
She was predeceased by her siblings, Arthur Luz and his wife, Eleanor, Alice Farley and her husband, Chester, and Joseph A. Luz.
All are welcome to attend her visitation on Friday, December 20 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA.
You are also invited to her Funeral Mass which will be offered on Saturday, December 21 at 11:30 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church in Lowell. You are welcome to gather with the family at the funeral home on Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. or go directly to the church.
Procession will follow for burial at St. Patrick Cemetery in Lowell.