Margaret Karns-Riley

It is with great sadness that the family of Margaret “Peggy” Karns-Riley announces her passing at the age of 76 on Sunday, February 13. Margaret was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She is survived by her children Kristen (Andrew), Edward (Elizabeth), and Scott; her grandchildren Matthew and Julia Karns, Noah and Lauren Falk; her siblings the Most Reverend Arthur Colgan, Marie Shibley (Roger), Rosemary Ash (William), and Ann Ferris, and many nieces, nephews and friends, and Kerrie Aprille, her dear friend and caregiver. She is predeceased by her husbands Alfred Karns and John Riley. 

Born in Dorchester in 1945 to Marie and Arthur Colgan, Margaret was the eldest of five children. After graduating from Stonehill College in 1968, she remained connected to the school her entire life, celebrating many memorable family events on the campus. A long-time resident of Norwell, Margaret dedicated herself to her family, to whom she generously gave her love and Attention.

Margaret loved the arts and sharing them with others, especially children and seniors. She enjoyed reading books, watching movies (her love of the Muppets was legendary), writing poetry, playing games, visiting museums, attending concerts (James Taylor was her favorite), and creating all kinds of crafts. After a career in education, Margaret volunteered to lead book clubs and film discussions, and she taught classes in creative writing, mah jongg, and quilling. She became a painter in her late 60s and loved sharing her latest watercolor and greeting cards, many of which were displayed throughout Proprietor’s Green in Marshfield, her home for the past several years.

There will be a wake for Margaret on Friday, February 18, from 4:00 to 7:00pm at the Sullivan Funeral Home in Hanover. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 19, at 10:00 am in the Chapel of Mary at Stonehill College, in Easton, Massachusetts. 

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to Stonehill College or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in Margaret’s memory.