PEGGY “MARGARET” FANNIN IRWIN

TROY - We bid cheerio and gráim thú to our feisty Irish lass, Peggy Irwin on May 2nd, 2018. In her 100th year, our wonderful mother and grandmother died peacefully at home in Troy, New York. Her passionate spirit will live on through her daughter Margaret Irwin, grandchildren Eliza, Nigel and Noah Madden, and her beloved dogs. Peggy was born to a hard working family of farmers in County Cavan, Ireland, the fifth child of Matilda Wilkin and Samuel Fannin. She cherished memories of her home at Crosslea with her Mam and Daddy, her sisters Katie (Clegg) and Emily (Alcorn), and her brothers Tommy, Jim and Samuel Fannin, all of whom passed on before her. Peggy emigrated to America in 1947, joining her sister Emily and four intrepid Wilkin Aunts (Susan, Rae, Margaret, and Kate) in New York City. As a governess, she raised three children before starting her own family with the love of her life, her husband Archie Irwin, who left her far too soon in 1995. Sharing a home with her three grandchildren for more than two decades, she helped them become the thoughtful and determined people (and excellent spellers) they are today. Peggy took pleasure in a proper cuppa tea, rooting loudly for Irish golfers, reading romances, watching the birds, and walking the beaches of Cove Neck in Oyster Bay, NY where she lived for many years. She was an impassioned dog lover and gifts in her memory may be sent to Pet Connection in care of Steve Caporizzio, News 10, 341 Northern Boulevard, Albany, NY 12204. Peggy treasured the loving attention of her niece Ivy Pollock and grandniece Adele Scott (Monaghan, Ireland), her Nephew Joey Clegg and his partner Phyllis Calvert (Rockcorry, Ireland), and her niece Susan Gonci and her husband Richard (Cresskill, New Jersey) along with many other family members and friends. She appreciated the companionship and care her friend Mary Ann Spencer shared over the past year. After a long life well-lived, Peggy will return home to the green grass of Ireland, joining her darling Archie at Derryvalley Church in Ballybay, County Monaghan. We welcome family and friends to join us on Saturday, May 5th between 2:00 and 5:00 PM at Ryan’s Wake, 403 River Street, Troy, NY 12180.