Margaret "Peg" (Shea) Viola

Margaret “Peg” (Shea) Viola, 94, of South Windsor and formerly of East Hartford, peacefully entered into eternal life on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at her home with her loving daughter by her side. She now joins her beloved husband of 66 years, Ralph J. Viola, Jr., in eternal peace.

Born in Hartford on October 23, 1931, Peg was the oldest daughter of the late Patrick and Bridget (Cronin) Shea. She grew up in Hartford and graduated from Hartford Public High School with the Class of 1949, where she met the love of her life, Ralph. Peg remained devoted to her classmates and proudly stayed active in her class reunion committee for nearly 70 years.

Peg and Ralph made their home on Deepwood Drive in East Hartford, where they raised their three daughters and built a life filled with love, friendship, and family traditions for 63 years before they moved to South Windsor five years ago.

Her Catholic faith was a guiding force throughout her life. Peg was a former communicant of St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church in Hartford and of St. Christopher Church in East Hartford. In recent years, she faithfully looked forward each morning to watching the daily Mass on television.

Peg began her professional career as an administrative assistant at Aetna Life Insurance Company in Hartford. After dedicating herself to raising her three daughters, she later returned to work as an administrative assistant for the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, where she retired after years of dedicated service.

She was a woman who believed deeply in giving back to others. Peg was a longtime member of the East Hartford Women’s Club and proudly served on its scholarship committee. She also enjoyed many happy years as an active member of the Glenbrooke Swim and Tennis Club, where she loved playing tennis, spending summer days by the pool with lifelong friends, and proudly cheering on her daughters at their many swim meets.

Peg treasured returning to Hartford with her children and family, sharing stories and memories from her childhood while visiting the city’s historic landmarks and beloved neighborhoods. She was an avid reader, loved to travel, and enthusiastically cheered for the UConn Men’s and Women’s basketball teams.

Above all else, Peg will be remembered for her extraordinary kindness, warmth, and unwavering devotion to her family. She was thoughtful, gracious, and endlessly supportive, with a gentle strength and a sharp sense of conviction that made her opinions and advice meaningful and memorable to those who loved her. Selfless to the very end, Peg put the well-being of others before her own and was constantly thinking of how she could care for and support those around her. Peg was always proudly supporting her daughters and grandchildren in every sport, activity, and milestone. Her loving presence was a constant source of comfort and was deeply felt by all who knew her.

Peg is survived by her loving daughters Rosemary Viola Rainville of Manchester, Kathleen Viola of Delray Beach, Florida, and Claire Viola Egan and her husband Jay of Norwalk. She also leaves her cherished grandchildren Christina McDonnell and her husband Bobby, Catherine Jones, Colin Jones, Cara Freer and her husband Colin, Jenna Egan, Meghan Egan, Lily Rainville and her husband Brian, and Theodore “Teddy” Rainville, along with her adored great grandson Weston. She is also survived by her sister Kathleen Hurley of Newington, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. In addition to her husband and parents, Peg was predeceased by her sister Sheila Hanley, sister-in-laws Philomena Martino, Cynthia Gramegna, and Ann Marie Viola.

Family and friends may gather on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, 285 Church Street, Hartford. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in East Hartford. Peg’s family kindly asks that guests go directly to the church on Saturday morning.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Peg’s memory may be made to the Office of Radio and Television for the Archdiocese of Hartford, 15 Peach Orchard Road, Prospect, CT 06712.

For online expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopoeh.com.