Obituary

Margaret Mary (Donegan) Celano, of DeWitt, NY entered eternal life on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2021 in Mission Viejo, CA while spending the winter with her son and family. Many knew her as Peggy or “Peg.” She was born on January 31, 1927 in Lima, NY and was 94 years young. Peggy was never keen on telling anyone her age and often fibbed about it until her 90’s when she began wearing her age as a badge of honor and as an inspiration to others to live life to the fullest. Peggy was the first of six children born to Loring Francis Donegan and Margaret Mary Keogh. Peggy was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, E. William (Bill) Celano, in 2017, her parents and four siblings. Surviving are two sons, Kevin (David) of Chicago, IL and Bryan (Alexandra) of Aliso Viejo, CA, her granddaughter Catherine Margaret “Katie”, of Aliso Viejo, her sister, Maureen (Charlie) Mirucki, and many wonderful in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Peggy was the valedictorian of Lima High School in 1945 and went on to graduate from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. She earned her master’s degree in elementary education from Geneseo College while working as a teacher in Brighton, NY. She traveled and studied extensively in Europe and taught French in Brighton. Peg had the opportunity to work with children with learning challenges and eventually went on to receive her second master’s degree in special education from Syracuse University.

Skiing was one of her favorite pastimes and it was during a ski trip with friends that she met her true love and future husband, Bill. Together, they settled in Syracuse, NY, where they raised their two boys. Peggy, a lifelong teacher and Bill, in the yearbook publishing business, shared the same summer vacation schedule with their children, allowing their family to travel cross-country and abroad, making multiple trips to Europe over the years. Peggy would light up when sharing treasured memories from those fun family adventures.

Peggy was active in her local community, enjoying her time in the Nazareth Alumni Association, the Jaycettes, Harmonettes singing group, the Suburban Garden Club of Syracuse, the DeWitt Recreation Commission, the DeWitt Public Library and the Republican Women of Central NY.  She and Bill were parishioners at Holy Cross Catholic Church of DeWitt for over 50 years.

Peggy loved traveling with Bill to visit their children and extended family in Chicago, Southern California and in more recent years Hilton Head, SC where all would converge for family festivities during many Easter and Thanksgiving holidays. Among her many hobbies and interests, Peggy loved music whether it was playing the piano, singing in choirs and as a soloist, dancing with her husband or enjoying the symphony. She was also an avid reader, loved to discuss politics and thrived on spending time with family and friends.

During her final five months while in California, Peggy, affectionately known as “Mimi”, enjoyed teaching her granddaughter favorite songs on the piano, sharing stories of her upbringing and life travels, taking in the sunshine during Sunday picnics and laughing with her family.

A memorial service and celebration of Peggy’s long life will be held at a later date when it’s safer for all to come together. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Margaret Mary (Donegan) Celano, of DeWitt, NY entered eternal life on March 17, 2021. Peggy was born in 1927 in Lima, NY and was 94 years young. Peggy’s sons invite you to a Rosary and Vigil Service (Wake) on Friday, August 6, 2021 from 6-8 pm at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt. All are welcome to join the family in prayers of the Holy Rosary beginning at 6 pm, followed by visiting hours and words of remembrance until 8 pm. A funeral mass and celebration of her long life will take place on Saturday, August 7 at 10 am at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt. For those who cannot attend in person, the funeral mass will be live streamed. For a link to the live stream service, please send a request via email to MargaretCelanoFuneral@gmail.com.