THOMASTON - Margaret Emily "Peggy" Conaghan, 81, a well-known community volunteer who worked for a local law office and later an insurance firm, died Friday, March 7 at Waterbury Hospital after a brief illness. Peggy was born in Waterbury February 27, 1927, a daughter of the late Peter and Margaret (McGrath) Conaghan. "Aunt Peggy" cherished family ties and her Irish heritage. Typically, she celebrated her 81st birthday surrounded by family and lifelong friends. A graduate of Thomaston High School, Peggy continued her education at Post Business School, Waterbury, before employment as secretary to the late Luke F. Martin in his law office. After he left private practice to become a judge, Peggy was employed by Kloss Lyons Insurance Company until her retirement. In recent years, she sometimes assisted in the offices of the Town Clerk and the First Selectman. She loved Thomaston and its history. She was treasurer of the Thomaston Historical Society and a member of the towns Beautification Committee at the time of her death. Peggy remained an active parishioner of St. Thomas Church, where she was a member of the Get Well Card Ministry and was a former Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. She belonged to the former Council of Catholic Women. Peggy also was a former member of the Thomaston Housing Authority. Many townspeople enjoyed seeing and greeting Peggy on her daily walks about town, regardless of weather, with her beloved dog Buttons, a Shih Tzu. Proud of her Irish lineage, Peggy relished visiting Ireland several times. Over the years, she sometimes hosted visitors from Ireland at her home. She also was an enthusiastic golfer, Peggy is survived by her sister-in-law Patricia Conaghan, Thomaston; four nephews, James J. "Jay Jay" Conaghan, Thomaston; Patrick J. Conaghan, Northfield; Christopher Conaghan and his wife Cheryl, Northfield; Peter Conaghan, Daniel, WY, and by one niece, Megan Conaghan Protzmann and her husband Kendrick, Thomaston. Grandnephews and grandnieces surviving her are Anna and Garrett Conaghan, Northfield, and Brigid and Kathleen Mary Protzmann, Thomaston. A step-grandnephew, Michael Grimaldi, Northfield, and step-grandniece, Michelle Grimaldi of California, also survive. She also leaves two goddaughters, Susan Fuller, Litchfield, and Erin Martin Schaefer, New York, NY, with whom she shared many pleasant hours. Peggy was pre-deceased by her brother, James "Jay" Conaghan, and sister, Mary Conaghan. Friends may call at Lyons Funeral Home 46 High Street, from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 9. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 10 at 10 a. m. at St. Thomas Church, One East Main Street. Burial will be in St. Thomas Cemetery. Friends may give to St. Thomas Church, c/o Parish Center, 19 Electric Avenue, Thomaston, 06787 in her memory.

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