Margaret Mary Stratton

Margaret Mary Stratton, 73, died on July 29, 2026. Born on October 5, 1952, Margaret (aka Peggy or Aunt Peg) lived a life marked by steady devotion to others, deep appreciation for community, and the quiet strength of someone who showed love through presence, care, and consistency. In her later years, she resided in Middletown, Connecticut, where she continued to build meaningful connections and friendships.

Peggy's life was shaped by the places she called home and the people she welcomed into it. She lived in New Britain, Weymouth, MA, and Portland. She also lived for a few years in East Hampton, where she formed many valued friendships at Chatham Acres and the East Hampton Senior Center. More recently, she moved to Luther Ridge in Middletown, where she again created warm relationships and a sense of belonging. The family extends special thanks to the staff at Luther Ridge for their kindness and care, and also offers heartfelt gratitude to the nurses at Middlesex Hospital and to her end-of-life caregiving team for their compassion and support.

For more than 20 years, Margaret served the Portland School Systems as a paraprofessional and in Braille transcription work—an enduring commitment that reflected patience, diligence, and a sincere desire to help others learn and thrive. Her dedication was so strong that she even joined after-school programs and summer camps to further help the children.

Margaret found joy in the everyday moments that become a family’s foundation: family dinners, time spent together, and the shared comfort of familiar traditions. She especially loved going on “adventures” with her daughters and grandchildren, and she treasured visits with friends and family in Cape Cod and in Maine—particularly Pine Point Beach in Scarborough. She also took great pleasure in gardening and in her work at Wheeler Farm Gardens in Portland. Her affection for animals was a constant in her life, remembered through her late beloved Golden Retrievers, Buffy and Jake, and through her cats, Nala and Lilly.

Margaret is survived by her daughters Katie Chesanek and Ali Sweeney and their respective spouses Sean Carney and Matthew Sweeney; and by her grandchildren, Stratton Carney and Sullivan Sweeney; her sisters, Susan Dionne, Barbara Tarca, and Deborah Greene; and nephews and nieces Andrew Dionne and his wife Latasha (Baker), Nicholas Dionne and his wife Devonna (Dunlap), Lindsey Hale (Dionne) and her husband Matthew Hale, and siblings Philip DiPinto and Julianna DiPinto, as well as many other nieces and nephews and even grandnieces and grandnephews. Margaret was predeceased by her loving parents, Margaret Stratton (Reagan) and Wesley Stratton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the East Hampton Senior Center.

Margaret will be remembered with respect and gratitude—for the care she gave, the relationships she built, and the steady love she offered to those fortunate enough to share life with her.

Burial will be private at the family's discretion. All those who wish to share in the joy of Peggy's life and legacy are welcome to attend her Celebration of Life, Saturday, October 3rd, 2026, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the Arrigoni Winery & Cider Co., 1287 Portland-Cobalt Rd., Portland, CT.