Margaret Jean “Peggy” (Mahan) Boulais of Holyoke passed away in the early morning hours of October 22, 2024, following a long and courageous battle with dementia. Born on March 7, 1945 in Churchville, Md, she was the daughter of Donald and Ruth (Williamson) Mahan. Peggy was the middle of three children. She leaves her siblings Nancy Mahan of Springfield and Donald (Loretta) Mahan of Bel Air, Maryland. You certainly would never know that she wasn’t a lifelong resident of Holyoke, given the countless ways she contributed to the community. A graduate of Bel Air High School and Harford Community College, her greatest passion was working on behalf of the education of the young people of Holyoke. She was very proud of her efforts to help found the Children’s Museum at Holyoke. From its early days in the storefront on High Street, to its move to the old Springdale School to its current location at Heritage State Park, Peggy delighted in the growth and accomplishments of the Museum much the way she did her own children. She served as Board President for a number of years, and acted as the Interim Executive Director of the Museum on multiple occasions. She was undoubtedly one of the Museum’s greatest champions. The ways she contributed to the greater community were truly endless. She devoted her energy to causes as diverse as the Junior League of Holyoke, the Smith’s Ferry Women’s Club, the Holyoke Youth Soccer League, the Central Parent Teacher Association of the Holyoke Public Schools, Save School Sports, Save the Merry-Go-Round, Friends of the Holyoke Public Schools, as well as volunteering at the Wisteriahurst Museum. As her children started school full-time, she would volunteer at the libraries in the public schools. Over the years, many of these organizations recognized Peggy for her dedication to their causes. Additionally, she organized countless fundraisers to help support these various community-minded causes. The family’s dining room table served as HQ for these fundraisers. She helped to start the annual Fancy Steps event for the Children’s Museum, which is still highly anticipated to this day. She was involved in numerous auctions for The Future Begins Here–an organization that benefits Girls, Inc, the Therapeutic Equestrian Center of Holyoke, and the Children’s Museum. In 1999, Peggy was first elected as Ward Seven’s representative to the Holyoke School Committee, a position she held for 14 years. Upon her retirement from this role, she was presented with the Massachusetts Association of School Committees Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also named the Quota Woman of the Year in 2009--pretty notable achievements for a professional volunteer. Peggy met her husband, John Paul Boulais at the NCO Club in Aberdeen, Maryland–where they eventually held the reception on their Wedding Day–June 18, 1966. The couple relocated to John’s hometown of Holyoke, where they shared their life together for 56 years until his passing in 2022. Together they raised their family that they were incredibly proud of–children Jennifer Boulais, John Boulais, Anthony Boulais (Kim Kisiel), and Samantha (Robert) Howson and granddaughters Julia Mahan Cahill and Sigrid von Wendel. Peggy’s achievements listed above are particularly impressive when you consider she was also the taxi cab service for her four children–soccer and baseball practices, piano recitals, and family dinner every night. Not to mention her days at the garage, greeting customers and keeping the family business in black with her bookkeeping skills. She particularly adored her role as a Grandmother to Mae (Julia) and Sigrid–who gave her the nickname of Mama Bou. Days with Mama Bou included baking, crafts, games, and reading books. Although–to be fair–they didn’t just read books–they thoroughly immersed themselves in them. Mama Bou would take the time to look at all the pictures and ask questions about the smallest details as she took it all in. Jennifer, Anthony and Samantha would like to express a heartfelt thank you to our brother, John, for his love and care over the past two plus years for our mom after our dad’s passing. Calling hours will be Wednesday, October 30th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street in Holyoke. Committal will be held on Thursday, October 31st at 11:00 a.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Children’s Museum at Holyoke.