BEVERLY: Margaret M. (Scanlon) O’Leary, 85, died peacefully, March 2, 2008 at her home following a long illness. She was the wife of the late James J. O’Leary who died in August of 2007.
Born in Archbald, Pennsylvania on December 18, 1922, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Price) Scanlon. She was raised in Archbald and resided in New York City for several years before moving to Beverly forty-seven years ago. She was a graduate of Archbald High School and the Scranton-Lackawanna College.
Margaret was employed as an executive secretary for many years at the former United Shoe Machinery Corp/Emhart in Beverly. She was a former member of the Wenham Country Club, a member of the Massachusetts State Track & Field Officials and was a recipient of the MIAA’S Mass. Girls and Women in Sports Unsung Hero Award.
She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, James J., Jr. and Catherine O’Leary of Mukilteo, WA and John F.X. O’Leary of Beverly, four grandchildren Shamus and Matthew O’Leary both of Mukilteo, WA and Madeline and Anne O’Leary both of Amesbury, a sister-in-law and her husband, Kathleen and Joseph Callahan of Salem and many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by a brother, Jack Scanlon and two sisters, Jane Moran and Mary Scanlon.
Her funeral Mass will be held on Thursday in the St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, Cabot St., Beverly at 9 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday in the Grondin Funeral Home, 376 Cabot Street, Beverly from 4 – 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to a scholarship in the name of James and Margaret O’Leary for a track & field athlete, c/o Beverly High School. Interment will be held in the Central Cemetery, Beverly.