Margaret L. Wyman

Longtime Marblehead resident Margaret Elizabeth Leary Wyman, beloved mother, sister, and active community member, passed away February 3rd surrounded by her family. Peggy had been in diminished health after suffering a stroke in January 2022, and had recently entered hospice at the Kaplan House in Danvers.

Peggy was born Margaret Elizabeth Leary on January 17, 1952, at Boston's Faulkner Hospital, the fifth and final child of Dr. and Mrs. Theodore M. Leary of Arlington. She was educated by Arlington's public schools through the 9th grade, then, after her family moved to Rockport, at the Pingree School in South Hamilton, before going to both Finch College and Fordham University in New York City.

While living in New York City, Peggy worked under Amanda Burden at the Urban Development Corporation, primarily on the 42nd Street Development Project, and worked for Raquel Ramadi, an internationally known urban planner and architect. Her years spent in NYC spawned lifelong friendships, countless stories, and enduring admiration of her glamor, beauty, warmth, and charm.

Peggy married Donald Wyman II in 1986 and left NYC for Marblehead, where they raised three children – Katie, Suzie and Billy. Peggy was known for the active role she took in her children’s lives, dedicating all of her own time and energy so that practices, games, rehearsals, and performances could be attended. She championed curiosity and was committed to seeing her children thrive in any pursuit. Her efforts will never be forgotten.

Peggy fell in love with the Marblehead community and worked diligently to become a part of its fabric. She became a member of the Board of Directors of the Marblehead Little Theatre, as well as co-president of Marblehead High School Friends of Performing Arts, contributing to the productions of “The Sound of Music”, “Peter Pan”, “The King and I”, and many more. Peggy was also co-president of the Bell School PTO, a Girl Scout leader, a volunteer tennis instructor for the Town of Marblehead, and a host for Boston University's Hubert Humphrey Scholars' Program.

After her 2012 receipt of a master’s degree in special education from Salem State University, Peggy taught at Collins Middle School in Salem before becoming a teacher of special needs students at Lynn English. Peggy took immense pride in the act of caring for those she taught, and always went the extra mile for her students and their families.

Peggy is predeceased by her parents, her older sister, Dr. Frances Anne ("Fay") Leary Lewis, an older brother, Kevin Robert Leary, and Donald Wyman II. She is survived by her beloved children, Katherine Anne Wyman (34) of Marblehead, Suzanne Frances Wyman (33) of Lynn, and William Maxwell Wyman (31) of Beverly, her two Los Angeles-based brothers, Theodore Moreau Leary, Jr. and Richard Maxwell Leary, a niece, Kathryn Leary, two nephews Patrick and Dennis Leary, in addition to many stepchildren and step-grandchildren.

Mrs. Wyman's ashes will be interred alongside her parents and brother Kevin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 17th at the Seaside Cemetery in the Lanesville section of Gloucester. A gathering of friends and family will follow the interment, and all who knew Peggy are welcome to join in celebration of her life. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Wyman's memory should be made to the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, MA. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for Mrs. Wyman's family.