Obituary of Margaret "Peggy" Farrell

Margaret “Peggy” Farrell, a longtime Madison resident, passed away on March 2, 2019 after living an incredibly rewarding, loving life. She was 87. Peggy was the model for all mothers and grandmothers and met God with the same strength and faith that was the standard of her days on earth. 

Peggy was born on March 2, 1932. An historically significant day in that was the day the Lindbergh Baby was kidnapped. A depression era child, her parents Oscar and Margaret (nee Dooley) Guensch settled in Newark, NJ, where she attended St. Ann’s school.  She often told of her memories of Pearl Harbor day and the war years. 

It was during her high school days at Our Lady of the Valley in Orange that two significant events occurred. First, she began an intense devotion to the Blessed Mother and also met a 15-year-old from Seton Hall Prep named Joseph Farrell. Both were to last a lifetime. Her first date was at an ice cream parlor which Joe assumed was Dutch treat. He had to ride his bike home to get a nickel from his mother to cover the check. From then on, there was no one other in her life. They were married at St. Ann’s Church on September 6, 1952 and settled in the Vailsburg section of Newark. Surrounded by many Irish families with names like Giblin, Cryan, Lenihan, and Brady to name a few, the Farrells were active in the community and Sacred Heart Parish.

Peggy began working in 1949 at Bell Telephone in Newark, but when the first of five children arrived, she became a stay at home mother. 

In 1967 the family moved to Madison, NJ. Peggy was a terrific mom. There was always plenty of great food on the table as well as advice, guidance and counsel. Her moral direction and encouragement of her children was unwavering.  She was very supportive of Joe’s career with Local 68 of the Operating Engineers over her 39 years of loving marriage. She lost him in 1992.  It was a difficult time for her, but she showed her usual grit and determination by becoming the very best Grammas ever to her 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. 

Peg returned to work after becoming an empty nester as an administrative assistant at Drew University in 1975. She retired from Drew in 2003.

Peggy loved to travel with her family and took several trips to Ireland, France, and Bermuda. She enjoyed her summers in Bay Head watching the family grow. She was a member of the St. Vincent’s rosary altar society and the Madison senior citizens. Peggy embraced the holidays. Her thanksgiving and Christmas dinner tables were major undertakings, serving as many as 35 at the most recent occasion.  St. Patrick’s Day was always a special occasion as both her husband and son were honored as grand marshals of the Newark Parade. She was a member of many Irish organizations including the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee and the Giblin Assn. 

Peggy was an avid sports fan. She rooted for the Yankees and often talked of watching Don Larson’s perfect game. Sundays in the fall were totally focused on the NY Football Giants. Peggy’s house was Giants central for road games with plenty of good food and libations. Peggy was a frequent visitor to the Meadowlands to partake in the family tailgate in lot K3. She would go home after the tailgate to prepare a meal for the postgame victory celebration. 

Jimmy Stewart may have had a wonderful life, but Peggy Farrell created wonder and joy in all the lives she touched. She will especially be missed by her grateful children, Michael K. and Nancy Farrell of New Vernon, Dr. Margaret “Peggy” and Richard Daingerfield Esq. of Chatham Twp., Patrick J. and Sharon Farrell of Madison, Kevin J. and Karen Farrell of Florham Park, Daniel C. and Christina Farrell of Chatham Twp. Peggy was the beloved Grammas of Meghan and Fred Gero of Madison, Seann and Agnese Farrell of Hoboken, Katie and Justin Fries of Philadelphia, Laura and Joshua Lentchitsky of Livingston, Brian Daingerfield of NYC, Joseph Daingerfield of Chatham Twp., Bridget Farrell of NYC, Joseph “Jack” Farrell of Chatham Twp, Michael Farrell of Madison, Christopher Farrell of Madison, Matthew Farrell of Chatham Twp; and her great-grandchildren, Lucas and Dominic Gero of Madison, Sarah and Hannah Fries of Philadelphia, and Jane Farrell of Hoboken. Peggy also leaves her dear sister, Rose Marie Cymansky of Lakewood, and many loving nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was predeceased by her Parents Oscar and Margaret Guensch; her cherished husband Joseph J. Farrell; and a sister, Nora Pennella.

Funeral services will begin at 9:00AM on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison, followed by a 10:00AM Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated at St. Vincent Martyr RC Church, Madison. Interment will follow at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison. Relatives and friends are warmly invited to attend a visitation to celebrate Peggy’s life on Wednesday from 4:00PM to 8:00PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that charitable contributions be made in Peggy’s memory to the Joseph J. Farrell Scholarship for Seton Hall Prep, 34 Kennedy Lane, PO Box 52, New Vernon, NJ 07976.