Margaret A. Meader

SCARBOROUGH, Maine Margaret Peggy Rose (Angelides) Meader, 86, was called safely home on Monday evening, March 7, 2016. She went peacefully in her sleep; her heart filled with love, and her devoted family close by. Born to Emmanuel and Catherine Angelides, on October 6, 1929, in New York City, where she spent her early childhood years. Her family moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, and soon after settled in West Springfield. Peggy graduated from West Springfield High School, class of 1948. She worked for the Albert Steiger Co. and First National Bank, both in Springfield, and did some modeling for local ads. In 1950, she met the love of her life, John Charles Meader, an AIC student from Portland, Maine. They married two years later, and stayed in West Springfield to raise a family of their own. As a stay-at-home Mom, Peggy always kept a lovely, warm welcoming home. She loved landscaping and everything from her perennials to the lawn was beautifully maintained. Above all, her rock gardens were always exquisite. She also loved to entertain, and is referred to by many as the best cook ever, famously known for her pies. Peggy was an active member of both the West Springfield Jr. Womens Club and the Tatham Womens Social Club for several years. She held club officer positions for both and annually sat on committees for the various special events. She was a volunteer Lunch-Mom for numerous years at St. Thomas the Apostle School, where her three children attended. When her children were old enough, Peggy went back to work. She was an attractive, congenial, and hard-working waitress at Bickfords Pancake House on Riverdale Street. Peggy was a staple there for the next 27 years, especially on the full-house weekends. A large handful of special, lifelong friendships with co-workers were developed there. In growing up, Peggy spent the summer months at Hammonasset Beach in Connecticut with her family, near several other relatives. After John took her to Higgins Beach in Scarborough, there were only occasional day trips to Connecticut, as now Higgins would always be the summer vacation destination! Here, over 40 years of joyous memories and cherished relationships with relatives and friends from Massachusetts, and Maine were fostered. In 1989, after their retirement, Peg and John spent a few winter months every year in Treasure Island, Florida. The annual trips south ended three years ago, due to complications from her battle with Parkinsons disease. Peggy thoroughly enjoyed Florida and the times she shared with very special new friends from all over North America. In 1993, Peg and John had their last Maine vacation. While there, they discovered a new development at Higgins Beach. Things just fell into place and they could move to be close to their first grandchild. Before years end, Higgins Beach became home. The neighborhood on Higgins Creek became as important as the one on Van Horn Street. While living in Maine for 23 years, she reverted back to being called Margaret, but most of the family just called her Nana. For over 65 years, she rarely missed an athletic event or recital that included her husband, children, grandchildren, nephews, or nieces. She proudly followed them all, becoming a knowledgeable sports fan, and she was never shy, when it came time for vocal cheering and rooting. In addition to her parents, her son, John Chuck C. Meader, Jr., and her siblings June Madamas and William Barker predeceased Margaret. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 63 years, John; her daughter Cathy of West Springfield, and her son William of Gorham, ME. She also leaves behind her dedicated granddaughters, Erica and Jessica Meader, and her grandson, John Jack Meader. She is also survived by her cousin, Mildred DiStefano, several nieces and nephews, close relations, Kathi Pompeo, Heidi Meader, Karen Meader, Jean Gould, Jodi Yarkey, Susan Griffin, and her favorite four-legged friends Lily and Jack. The family wishes to express deepest gratitude to the friends and staff at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough, for their extraordinary compassion, love and care. Visiting hours will be 5:00 8:00 PM, Friday, at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland, Maine. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM, Saturday, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland, Maine. Burial will be private. To visit Margarets memorial page of share online condolences, please visit www.ctcrawford.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the West Springfield Youth Sports Association P O Box 868, West Springfield, MA 01089.