Margaret Mary (Seward) Parenteau

Margaret “Peggy” (Seward) Parenteau died April 15, 2024 at Agawam East Memory Care Center at the age of 89. She was born in Holyoke on December 15, 1934 to the late Michael Seward and Margaret “Peggy” Cronin. Peggy graduated from Holyoke High School in 1954. She worked in an office after high school where she met her future husband, Jean-Paul “John” Parenteau. They were married in 1958 and had seven children. She devoted her life to her family, her home and her Catholic faith. Peggy was widowed in 1986 when her husband John sadly passed away at a young age. She was an active parishioner of Holy Name Church in Chicopee for over 50 years. She volunteered her time to the church and was a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. She enjoyed caring for her grandchildren, including bringing them to story time at the library, making cookies, doing crafts and spending time with them at her house and pool. In her later years, she spent many wonderful times at the Holyoke Senior Center. She loved her friends at “the center” and went to many of the exercise classes offered as well as other events, lectures and lunches. In her time living at memory care centers, she was always a participant in all activities offered, but especially trivia! Peggy was a sports enthusiast, in particular Notre Dame college football. Peggy is survived by her children: Annmarie Parenteau of W Spfld, Steve Parenteau (Laura) of S.Hadley, Debbie Karetka (James) of Southwick, Brian Parenteau (Jane) of Hooksett NH, Gregg Parenteau of Chicopee, and Marybeth Stratton (Justin) of Chicopee. She was predeceased by her son, Kenny Parenteau, in 2013. She also leaves daughter-in-law Dina Parenteau of Chicopee. She will be greatly missed by her 17 grandchildren and also leaves 7 great-grandchildren. Peggy is survived by two sisters, Jane Fournier and Judy Pratt and was predeceased by her brother Jack Seward and her sisters Barbara Pienkowski and Patricia Brill. Peggy’s Irish ancestry was always at her core and she celebrated it daily. She loved Irish music, the Holyoke St. Patrick’s parade and she especially enjoyed getting to visit Ireland. May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand. The funeral will be held Saturday morning, April 27th at 9:00 from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Chicopee. Calling hours will be held Friday, April 26th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

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