Frances Alice (Taylor) (Whalen) Beal, affectionately known as Peggy, passed peacefully from our world on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. She was a proud resident of Lawrence for many years and also lived in Byfield before returning to her hometown in late 2011. She was 88 years old.
Peggy was born on September 30, 1924. She was the first daughter of William Taylor and Alice (Lavigne) (Taylor) Lannon. She was educated and employed in the Merrimack Valley for many years before retiring from the former Western Electric.
Many hours and miles were spent traveling the East Coast with her husband, "Daddy," and children in their 1972 Concord motor home. In later years she found pleasure in visiting San Francisco, Las Vegas, Florida, Hawaii (twice), London, Paris, and taking a cruise to the Bahamas. She also delighted in crocheting, Search-A-Word puzzles, the Lawrence Eagle Tribune, and her Boston Celtics. However, spending time with her family, particularly any new babies, gave her the greatest joy.
Peggy is predeceased by her husband George A. Beal, sons George M. Beal and Stephen Whalen, sister June (Taylor) Lizak, brother-in-law Matthew Lizak, and nephew Salvatore Alaimo. She is survived by her children John Whalen, Frances Berube, Jacqueline Moreau, Trooper Alyce Risteen, Patricia Britton and her husband Randy, and William Beal, as well as her nephew Michael Lizak and his partner Lawrence Donovan, and her niece Marie (Lizak) Hodgdon. Her family grew to include eighteen grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren, and a combination of twelve great and great-great nieces and nephews. She also leaves two step-children, Glenn Beal and Kathy (Beal) Couture, and their families.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to call on Saturday, March 16, 2013 from 8:30 to 10:30 A.M at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury St., Lawrence, MA . A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 A.M. in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 205 Hampshire St., also in Lawrence, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Building 9, Lawrence, MA, 01843, (www.MerrimackValleyHospice.org) or they be made to the charity of one's choice. To send an online condolence or for more information, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.