Margaret M. Furbush

Margaret Peggy Furbush, 87, of South Portland, passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at Mercy Hospital while surrounded by her family members. Peggy was born June 1, 1927, in Portland the daughter of the late James J. and Margaret (Hackett) Fitzpatrick. A lifelong resident of Cash Corner in South Portland, Peggy graduated from South Portland High School in 1945, and worked at the Porteous, Mitchell and Braun Department Store in downtown Portland before her marriage. The daughter of the Portland High School coach for whom Fitzpatrick Stadium and the James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy are named, Peggy was the captain of her high school basketball team, and enjoyed candlepin bowling at the Big 20 Bowling Center in Scarborough for her entire adult life. She was also an active communicant of the former St. John the Evangelist Church in South Portland, serving for decades on the Womens Council and singing in the choir. Because she was such a warm and compassionate person, Peggy had a knack for bringing out the best in everyone she knew and loved, and over the years many of us leaned on her for strength and advice. She took pride in the athletic achievements of her family, and always happily attended any activity that her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren participated in. In addition to sports, she enjoyed summers at Jordans Beach, watching musical theater, and reading popular fiction. In recent years, she never missed a chance to stay up late to watch her grandson Charlie pitch for the Seattle Mariners on television. In addition to her parents, Peggy is predeceased by her beloved husband of 65 years, Ralph M. Furbush, and her brother, James J. Fitzpatrick, Jr. Peggy is survived by her children, Ann Harradon and her husband Bob, Craig Furbush, Mark Furbush and Peggy Koukos and her husband Louie. Also survived by 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Visiting Hours will be held on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015 from 4-7PM in the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited on Monday, Jan. 19, 2015 at 10:15AM in the Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11AM at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Rd., South Portland. Private Burial will be held in Old Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. To share a memory or online condolence, please visit www.ctcrawford.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the South Portland Food Cupboard, 130 Thaddeus Street, South Portland, ME 04106.