Margaret Mary Oates

Peggy was kind, sweet & extremely faithful. We will miss her style, referred to by her grandchildren as ‘sassy grandma’ as she was always dressed to the nines. She was the epitome of grace.

She was born in Manhattan to Mary and James Sullivan, the oldest of their seven children.

Predeceased by her loving husband of 55 years, Jack Oates.

Devoted mother of Michael Oates (Tish), James Oates (Monica), Maureen McKeon (Tom), Jennifer Banga (Raj) and Keven Oates (Stacie).

Family matriarch to Kay Burke, Mary Ann Hudson, Nora Marie Sullivan. Predeceased by James Sullivan, Patrick Sullivan and Michael Sullivan.

Loving grandmother to Fiona (Derek), Maura (Cole), Ryan, James, Kacey, Tommy, Harper, and Quinn.

Great grandmother to Delaney and Jack.

Peggy grew up in Washington Heights and attended Incarnation School. She graduated from Blessed Sacrament Academy and Assisium in 1955. She held many jobs in her early years such as a candy striper, salesgirl at Loft Candy Corporation and the New York Telephone Company.

Peggy was set up on a blind date for Jack’s college senior prom. They fell in love and married on her birthday in 1961. In 1965, they settled in Emerson with their growing family. She was the caring mother of her five children, parenting at least one child under the age of 18, for 35 years.

She was always crafty - sewing many outfits for her family as well as needlework projects. She masterfully could get any stain out of clothing. Tennis was her favorite pastime for many years.

She was an active member of the Westwood Women’s Club and Church of the Assumption Parish. She was also very involved in the PTA, Girl Scouts and volunteering at the Emerson schools and public library.

While raising her children she obtained her associate’s degree in accounting from Bergen Community College, with her first grandchild attending her graduation.

Peggy then returned to work, spending twenty-five years as the bookkeeper for The Beauty Spa of Englewood, where she thrived. Peggy’s level of style went up a notch and it appeared that she stopped aging with the use of all sorts of Beauty Spa products and guidance. She was possibly involved in quality control or training, as there were times when her family would call her at work, only to be told that she was having her hair or nails done.

Every December, her kitchen transformed into a mini rum cake bakery as she prepared tasty gifts for coworkers, friends, and family.

Peggy taught her children the importance of family by being close with many nieces and nephews as well as by taking family vacations to the beach. You might find her under a big sun hat with lots of sunscreen but she was out there enjoying the time with her kids. She also enjoyed traveling with favorite trips to Ireland, Paris, California as well as taking the train often to Virginia.

Even as her memories were fading, Peggy was well mannered, with a smile and a ‘hello’ to anyone she passed. In her high school yearbook, the superlative section listed Peggy as friendly, sparkling and like-able, which she was to the end.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Peggy’s name to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 29th from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Becker Funeral Home, Westwood. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 30th at 10:00 am at Church of the Assumption, Emerson. Inurnment to follow at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah.