Margaret F. McHugh Scholarship Fund

Margaret Frances (Sullivan) McHugh, also known as Peggy to her friends, was born in Melrose on September 29, 1928. One of eleven children, she was the daughter of Annie and Michael Sullivan. Peggy lost her mother at age thirteen and was greatly influenced by the nuns of St. Mary’s School in Melrose. After graduating from Rosemont College, she began her teaching career in Wakefield in 1951, first at the Warren and West Ward Schools and then at the Greenwood School. Peggy became a mother herself in 1957 when she gave birth to her daughter Alicen. Her family was the primary focus and joy in her life, with teaching ranking a close second. She was well known all over Wakefield as an energetic, fun-loving teacher who adored her students and utilized all sorts of creative and innovative methods in her lessons. She piloted countless new educational programs and was instrumental in implementing the METCO Program into the Wakefield School System. She taught first grade for fifty years in Wakefield, earning the love and respect of thousands of students, parents and colleagues. Peggy was known for her great storytelling ability as well as pioneering a “hands-on” approach to whatever she taught. She always went well over and above the call of duty in teaching and caring for her students, both in and out of the classroom. Peggy served on the Board of Directors for The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield, as well as countless fundraising committees to benefit a wide array of educational programs.

Peggy was an extremely devoted grandmother to her grandchildren, Ryan, Juliane, and Brendan. She made her home with her daughter Alicen, son-in-law Barry and her grandchildren for the past thirteen years and enjoyed wonderful times with them including trips to Disney World and Ireland.

Peggy had been diagnosed in 1984 with breast cancer and did exceptionally well until the reoccurrence of the disease in 2000. She bravely coped with the disease showing great courage and determination, still working up until four weeks before she passed away on December 9, 2001.

This fund has been established by her family to promote a legacy of her love for the children of Wakefield. Her commitment to excellence in education would best be honored by a scholarship in her name. She touched the lives of her family and so many children with love, humor and the instilling of a love for learning.