Margaret Peterson Donahue

Margaret Peterson Donahue was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, on February 24, 1948. She peacefully passed into eternal life on May 15, 2026 at the City of Hope Hospital in Duarte, California, after a four year struggle with severe aplastic anemia. In a beautiful, heartmoving, ceremony, Margie was blessed with the Last Rites of the Catholic Church before her passing.

Margie was raised on Boston's Mission Hill where she attended 12-years of parochial school, then completed two-years of college at Boston State. Later, Margie finished her education at California State University, San Bernardino, earning a bachelor's degree in marketing with departmental honors.

Margie met the love of her life, Bernard Donahue, in 1967. They were married after a four-month whirlwind courtship and shared life together for more than 58 years. Margie followed Bernie around the world during his career as a military lawyer from Philadelphia to March AFB, California; to Ipswich, England; to Washington D.C.; to Ramstein, Germany; and to Tampa, Florida, before settling down back in Riverside, California.

During this journey Margie worked as a claim specialist at John Hancock Insurance in Virginia, as a civilian accountant for the U.S. Army in West Germany, and as a Claims Specialist for USAA Insurance in Florida before returning to California to an 18-year position as a Contracts Administrator for the County of San Bernardino.

Margie is survived by her husband, Bernard, two sons, Mark and Stephen, and also her sister Mary Melaragni. Also surviving are Margie's grandchildren Kira, Delaney, Brendan, and Brynlee. Margie is predeceased by her brother, John and by her parents Leo Peterson and Agnes Tompkins.

At Margie's express request, funeral services will be private. She will be interred at Riverside National Cemetery.

Margie's favorite charities were the Tunnels to Towers Foundation and St. Jude Children's Hospital.