Gilford----Margaret "Peggy" Janet McCauley 80, of Checkerberry Lane died suddenly at her home Wednesday, October 14, 2015 with her loving husband by her side.
Peggy was born July 28, 1935 in Hoboken, NJ daughter to the late Lester and Cecilia (Miller) Schenkerberg. Much of her early life was as a resident of Jersey City, NJ where she met her future husband, Robert J. McCauley while she was still in her teenage years. She was educated and worked as a bookkeeper, a life skill that served her family well. Her passing was on the eve of their 60th wedding anniversary. Shortly after they began a family, they decided to relocate to Freehold, NJ where they resided from 1960 through 1987 when they retired to Gilford after many years of vacationing on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Peggy was a selfless, giving person always ready to help and support others. When her children were growing up, she insisted with Cub Scouts, school activities and countless projects that needed to get done right now because someone "forgot". Bob worked long hours, nights and weekends for many years, often more than one job, with Peggy always ready to take care of the family at home. As the children grew, she discovered an interest and talent in crafting ceramic works of art. Eventually acquiring her own kiln and teaching classes at home to other adults with desire to learn. She enjoyed visiting her sister at the Jersey Shore. Some of her simple pleasures in life included admiring her flowers and the hummingbirds.
Margaret, known as Peggy to most of her friends and family, is survived by Robert "Bob" McCauley of almost 60 years; three children, Kenneth McCauley and his wife Sharon of Stewartsville, NJ, James McCauley and his wife Theresa of Belmont, NH and Kathleen Zafarana and her husband Bruce also of Belmont, NH; six grandchildren, Jennifer McCauley-Robinson and her husband Preston, Erin Liberto and her husband Mat, Ryan McCauley and his wife Melissa all of New Jersey, Ian McCauley and his wife Jessica, Brendan and Sean McCauley all of Belmont, NH; eight great-grand children, two sisters, Ruth Goldey of Pittsford, VT and Cecilia Hart of Weehawken, NJ; Sister-in-Law, Barbara Schenkerberg of Bogota, NJ; Brother-in-Law, Kenneth J. McCauley and his wife Linda of Toms River, NJ as well as many nephews and nieces. In addition to her parents she is predeceased by her brother, William Schenkerberg and two Brothers-in-Law, Charles Goldey and Martin Hart.
Her Love and caring nature will be missed by all whose life she touched.
Per her request there will be no calling hours.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Andre-Bessette Parish-Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH on Monday, October 19, 2015 at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Peggy's name to New Hampshire Catholic Charities Inc. P.O. Box 686 Manchester NH or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital P.O. Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis TN 38148-0142.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit www.wilkinsonbeane.com.