Margaret Virginia (Parker) Seluk (“Peggy”) was the first child of Aaron Parker and Ada Gresham Parker, born on 9/3/22. Her mother died of pneumonia at 6 years old leaving her and her two brothers, Clarence and Luther. As the eldest of three children, she subsequently spent her girlhood years taking on more household responsibilities for her “Daddy,” who worked diligently to provide for his family. She had fond memories of summers spent visiting some of her father’s ten siblings and their families. She delighted everyone with colorful stories from her humble beginnings in Alabama, recounting Sunday family picnics along the Choctawhatchee and Pea Rivers, catching fish and eating them; picking cotton; and driving in one of Geneva Alabama’s first Model T Fords.
She transcended the challenges of her impoverished beginnings and made the best of it, displaying an adventurous and playful spirit throughout her life. Her personal life, like a beautiful tapestry, was woven with history, family, community, and country.
Peg demonstrated her patriotism by joining the U.S. Navy in WW II. She was the first girl from the state of Alabama to join the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). Obviously, it wasn't a typical thing for a young girl to do. She remembered her “Daddy” waiting with her at the train station as she departed for the service, saying, “You made your bed, you have to live with it.”
Her Navy days were peppered with adventures and exposure to a world she would not have imagined or experienced in Alabama. Always active and social, the southern girl balanced her work as an Aviation Machinist Mate, 2nd Class, with a rich social life. Her friend Marge was often present for her escapades.
Peg met her husband Frank at a dance where Coca-Cola was served (apparently a draw at the time). She thought the space between his teeth with ‘cute’, but she later admitted that he was not a very good dancer! Taken with Frank’s antics, humor and respect, their courtship continued through subsequent transfers to many Naval bases together, allowing their love to blossom. In June 1946, the former Baptist girl from Alabama married the Catholic fellow from South Boston.
They began their life together in the same house where Frank was born. Always the fashionable gal, Peg recounted how Frank even bought her a fur coat so she wouldn’t be cold in the New England winters. When Peg was being discharged from the Navy, a doctor told her she would be unlikely to bear children. However, after the birth of her first boy, Daniel, they were off and running! They had eight children and established a sound foundation and countless memories, which transcended 68 years together.
Peg was the consummate Mom, meeting the challenges of an ever-growing family with her tireless efforts to enhance the lives of her children in simple yet memorable ways. Her penchant for great cooking, sewing, and seeking out new experiences exposed her children to many years of warm memories. Her abilities as a seamstress produced countless children’s outfits, church pageant clothing, quilts, and wonderful keepsakes. During her later years, she single-handedly provided the resources and skill to make literally hundreds of christening bibs for babies in the St. Robert’s Church community in Andover. Ironically, one of the physicians who cared for Peg in her last days recounted that her child was a recipient of one of Peg’s hand-made bibs.
After the family moved to Tewksbury in 1970, Peg continued her creative pursuits-- falling headlong into decorating a home, designing gardens, and entertaining. Her creativity carried on through her skillful and resourceful creation of the home and grounds at William G Drive, which was the site of many family and neighborhood events and parties.
Family events were made special by Peg’s touches including substantial and delicious display of food, and of course plenty of fun. The 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren provided Peg with years of delight. She was a constant presence and supporter of their interests and pursuits, repeatedly sponsoring her grandchildren’s activities by helping to fund their summer camps, musical and other talents, and by assisting new families get started.
Peggy loved to share stories and wisdom with her children and grandchildren as they became parents. In recent times, she showed her tenacity as she and Frank experienced medical challenges in their advancing age, outliving most of their friends.
Frank and Peg transitioned from the big family house to Emerald Court in 2002, where she, Frank and Laurie re-established home base. Peg was a lover of simplicity and finer things, with a fondness for the ocean, time with family, reading, gardening, a great homegrown tomato and of course, a good cup of coffee, served piping hot. In more recent years, Laurie fed Peg’s love of the ocean by regular visits to the seashore.
Peg is survived by her loving husband Frank and her 8 children --Daniel Seluk, Margaret Race, Barbara Burgess, Laurie Seluk, David Seluk, Anne Boehm, Mary Ellen Comerford, and Joseph Seluk.
The family wishes to express a most sincere and loving thank-you to our sister Laurie, who selflessly cared for our parents for the past decade and continues to be a loving and constant presence for Frank.
We will all miss Peggy deeply.
Donations in Peg’s memory can be made to the charity of your choice—with special encouragement for those supporting the talents and skills of future generations.