Margaret (Bowen) Diggins

WORCESTER/HOLDEN – Margaret (Bowen) Diggins, 91, passed away on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Born and raised in Worcester, Margaret was the daughter of William C. and Cecilia E. (O’Brien) Bowen. She lived 25 years in Holden and 30 years in Cotuit before moving back to Worcester. She spent the last several years of her life at The Willows of Worcester. Her beloved husband of 54 years, James P. Diggins died in 2009.

She will be lovingly missed and remembered by her four children, Timothy W. Diggins and his wife, Deborah of Boston, Patrick J. Diggins and his wife, Kristen of Holden, Mary “Molly” Diggins and her husband, Mark Duggan of Boston, and Deirdre Diggins of St. Louis Park, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren: Patrick M., Caroline E., Luke A., Margaret P., and Daniel P. Diggins; Katherine D. Kearns; Liam J. and Delia J. Duggan; Brynne C., Connor N., and Cian B. Diggins and Garret J. Erb; and many nephews and nieces. Besides her husband Jim, Margaret is predeceased by a son, James P. Diggins, Jr. and his wife, Eileen (Murphy), her parents, William and Cecilia Bowen, a brother, William Bowen, and a sister, Ann Marie Bowen.

Margaret was a graduate of St. Peter’s High School in Worcester, class of 1948. She later graduated from the College of Our Lady of the Elms and received a master’s degree in psychology from Assumption College. She taught in the Spencer school system for several years after college. Margaret was an early expert in teaching children with learning disabilities, including dyslexia. She taught at Shepherd Knapp School in Boylston for several years and later lectured at Worcester State University, training teachers to work with students experiencing learning challenges.

A devoted Catholic, Margaret was the first chairperson of The Commission for Women of the Diocese of Worcester, an advisory group for the Bishop of Worcester focusing on issues affecting women. She wrote a regular column for many years in the Worcester Catholic Free Press on issues facing women in the Church. Margaret was a member of the Board of Governors of The Massachusetts Catholic Conference, the Public Policy Office of the Catholic Church in Massachusetts. In 2010, she was awarded the Marian Medal by Bishop George Coleman of Fall River for her ongoing devotion to her parish, Christ the King of Mashpee. Margaret was a founding member of St. George’s Church in Worcester and Christ the King Church in Mashpee. Margaret was a member of the Board of Trustees of the College of Our Lady of the Elms for many years and was honored in later years with the distinguished alumna award.

Margaret was an exceptional wife and mother. She imbued each of her children with her lifelong love of books and learning. She made friends easily and forever. She loved children, a love that expressed itself through her devotion to teaching, especially those experiencing learning challenges. Helping young people discover a passion for learning was her true joy in life. Margaret will be remembered for her love and devotion to her faith, her family, her friends, and her students, and for a continuing commitment, everywhere she lived, to creating communities and helping people who needed it most.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Margaret’s family from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 31, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 1 at 10 am at St. Mary's Church, 114 Princeton Street, Jefferson. Margaret will be laid to rest with her husband at St. John’s Cemetery in Worcester. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to College of Our Lady of the Elms, in support of the Diggins Family Endowed Scholarship, 291 Springfield St., Chicopee, MA 01013-2839.

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