Obituary of Margaret Elizabeth Marotta
A Beautiful Life
Margaret Elizabeth Marotta
All of her grace and exquisiteness is now generously redistributed to her ten children, twenty grandchildren, family, and treasured friends.
Margaret (Peg) Elizabeth Marotta (nee Hughes) passed away on January 6, 2024, at home, at peace, with love, after an incredibly robust life of caring, service, fellowship, and joy.
Peg was a thoughtful and steadfast wife, mother, and friend. She was a constant presence. With steady Irish eyes, she was engaged and engaging. She listened. She encouraged. She enchanted a lot of people.
Peg was born in Belleville, Ontario to Harriett and James Hughes on April 11, 1926. She spent her formative years in Peterborough, Ontario. Following her graduation from Peterborough Collegiate in 1942, Peg worked as a Dental Hygienist before heading to St. Michael’s Hospital, School of Nursing, Toronto, in 1948. Peg graduated with honours, and was the proud and deserving recipient of the ‘Efficiency in Bedside Nursing’ award for the class of ’51. Peg was a nurse all of her life.
Peg met her true love, Joseph Marotta, at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. After a brief and dreamy courtship, they married in 1953 - a superb merger of Irish and Italian cultures. Theirs was a charmed life of 63 years, shared with 10 children: Moe (Ian), Patti (Jeff), Margaret, Fred (Cari), Tom (Betty), Jody, Mike (Christine), Martha (John), John (Annica), Ginny (Thomas) and 20 grandchildren: Allison (Ian), Karly, Kati (Alistair), Alex (Maude), Ryan, Grace, Brad (Katy), Jennifer (Adam), Sara (Daniel), Kevin, Jason (Jasmin), Colin (Kirsten), Matthew, Emma (Annalise), Madeline (Mason), Blake (Paige), Justin, Cole, Emily and Elizabeth.
Peg’s essence was bedrock
Small but mighty, Peg was a gal in motion . . . she loved to walk, go for a swim, strike out on an adventure, or break into a tap-dance, should the music incite. She was fearless.
The duet of Peg and Joe delivered an intricate ‘Master Class in Life and Living’ for their 10 children, 20 grandchildren and extended family. In the early 1970’s this was enriched by the acquisition of a cottage on Chandos Lake, in the Kawarthas, and in close proximity to Peg’s home town. For decades, this was Peg’s ‘Camelot’. A gathering spot for kin and friends, with gardens, water, splendor, quietude, and loons.
Peg’s ultimate legacy and most cherished accomplishment, when asked, was her family. She crafted a sophisticated dance while raising her children. She and Dad were brilliant role models, in flawless step. They never wavered. Somehow, they managed to love each of us deeply, as though we were an only child.
Revered by Dad and resolute in her calling, Mom made the task look simple. She was indeed the CEO ‘at the helm of a very well-oiled family machine that was bursting with love and devotion’.
Peg had her own secret patent for nurturing. Whether for a plant in her beloved gardens, or with her children, she delivered just the right amount of water and sunlight for each. This fostering, always perfectly paired with her perennial ways . . . enduring, constant, faithful and trusted.
We watched as she responded to the world, through both joys and challenges, with her solid faith, and private strength, while pocketing fear - A practice she silently taught to fortify us for the vicissitudes of life.
She was dedicated, firm, organized and had an intrinsic sense of duty and responsibility. When we needed to correct course, she let us know. She had high standards in all facets of life; even ensuring we were trained on hospital corners when bed-making.
Peg and Joe were a social pair, often entertaining at home. They were
gracious hosts surrounding their guests with a warmth and generosity that always guaranteed their return, and cemented friendships that lasted their life time and beyond. It was all about the people they met along the way. They loved a multi-generational gathering. Celebrations included rites of passage, and a variety of holiday merrymaking, including the annual Green Party on March 17.
Peg described her children as ‘her beautiful life’. She was an altogether magnificent woman. And no amount of sweet reminiscence can replace her living presence.
As in life, in her refined and quiet way, Peg made her most nimble ascension yet, when she alighted on the wings of a thousand angels who returned her, without peril, to her beloved Joe.
Mom, we thank you for the chance to bear witness to your extraordinary life.
You will be missed immensely!
The family extends our deepest gratitude to the countless personnel who became friends, neighbours, and companions during the six contented years Peg spent at Amica London; an active and engaging community to which she was warmly welcomed, and referred to as ‘a legend’.
At the request of our Mom, there will be no Visitation or Funeral. The family will hold a private Celebration of Life.
"In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Department of Interventional Neuroradiology, St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation at www.stmichaelsfoundation.com/MargaretMarotta or 416.864.5000."
