Margaret (Iscoll) Testarmata

WEST BOYLSTON - Margaret Mary (Driscoll) Testarmata, 93, of West Boylston passed peacefully into the arms of angels, while in her home surrounded by her children on February 28, 2022.

Margaret, known as Peggy, was born in Fitchburg, MA, as the 11th child and youngest daughter of 13 children born to the late Cornelius and Julia (Shea) Driscoll both of Cahirciveen, County Kerry, Ireland. Peggy graduated from Saint Bernard’s High School in 1946, then worked as a secretary at Hope Rubber Company and the City of Fitchburg. She met her future husband, Ralph Testarmata, as they caught each other’s eyes on the bus to Whalom Park where they had their first dance. They married on June 28, 1952, with Peggy promising to learn to cook Italian food and not serve Ralph corned beef and cabbage. They had six children, 3 boys and 3 girls, and moved their growing family to West Boylston in 1959.

Peggy was a loving, stay-at-home mother for her 6 children. She became a master seamstress and made many of their clothes. Cooking and baking from scratch were also her joy, with her applesauce cake being the big hit at family gatherings. Peggy was a tutor and education coach for her children and also a devoted spectator of her progeny’s sporting events, dance recitals, and other achievements. In retirement, she and Ralph especially enjoyed time with their granddaughters. Ralph and Peggy were morning regulars at the Greendale YMCA and traveled in the US visiting their adult children and other relatives. Peggy and Ralph were joined by some of their sisters on trips to Italy, France, and Canada with the Retired Men’s Club of Greendale.

Peggy embodied peacemaking, generosity, and patience. At St. Christopher’s Parish, she taught catechism for 19 years including the First Communion class. Also a member of the Legion of Mary, she visited nursing homes weekly to pray the Rosary with the elderly. Peggy was an adorer and divisional leader for St. George Perpetual Eucharistic Chapel. After over 50 years in St. Christopher’s Parish, she joined Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish about 6 years ago when she changed her residence to Oakdale. She continued to generously support both parishes. Confined to her home in her last years, she was appreciative of Catholic TV and her friends in Christ who brought her prayers and Communion.

After 58 years of marriage, Ralph predeceased Peggy in 2011. She leaves behind their six children: Margaret Testarmata of Seward, Alaska, Dr. Ann Marie Testarmata of Acton MA, John Testarmata (Patricia) and Dr. Mary Ann Testarmata, both of Boulder, Colorado, Kevin Testarmata of West Boylston, MA and Brian Testarmata (Denise) of Hyannis, MA.; also, her granddaughters, Viktoria and Irina Testarmata and Denali Anowlic and step-grandchildren Olivia and Andre Guillmette. Peggy was predeceased by all her siblings: Nora Walsh, Catherine Turcotte, Mary Mullahy, Pauline Thomas, Theresa, Edward, Rita and John Driscoll, Eileen Pernokas, Madelyn, Bernard, and Neil Driscoll. She is survived by sisters-in-law, Barbara Driscoll of Lynn, MA, and Filomena Orsalock of Fitchburg, MA, and by many caring nieces and nephews.

Relatives, friends, and former students are invited to attend the Mass of Christian burial on Saturday, March 5th at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, 111 Worcester St., West Boylston. Burial will follow in the adjacent Mt. Vernon Cemetery. Calling hours are 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 4th and 9-10:15 am Saturday, March 5th at the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Rd, Sterling. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Margaret Testarmata’s name to Catholic TV, PO Box 9196, Watertown, MA 02471-9196. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.milesfuneralhome.com

Eulogy for Peggy
by her daughter Margaret

As Peggy Testarmata’s oldest child, I would like to thank you, on behalf of all her children, for gathering with us this morning to honor the legacy of Peggy Testarmata and celebrate her passing to eternal life.

Peggy touched the lives of many with her loving presence. Among them were her immediate and extended family, her neighbors, and her parish communities at St. Christopher’s Church and at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

As a mother, she led her children nightly in family bedtime prayer and modeled for us the values of Christian living by selflessly giving of her time and energy to nourish us in body, mind, and spirit. Despite the challenges of caring for 6 children born within 10 years, she was ever present to support our potential by coaching us academically, transporting us to activities, and inspiring us with the words, “You don’t know until you try”. She also emphasized the importance of forming our own values and moral compass with the words “We don’t follow what the neighbors do.”

When we children left home as young adults, her prayers followed us while she sent her love through packages of her special meatballs and applesauce cake. She welcomed us home with kisses. She traveled across the country with her husband, our father Ralph, to see us, treasuring our accomplishments, adventures, and her time with us. Later in life, she built that same loving connection to her grandchildren, attending their baptisms, first communions, sporting events, and award ceremonies. Her presence was always infused with love and caring.

Our mother modeled for us the importance of family, with weekly visits to her parents and siblings in Fitchburg. There we witnessed the delight she had in her heart connection with them, and with her many nephews and nieces. When her nephew Stephen attended Holy Cross College, she would often pick him up to dine at our home and send him back with care packages of homemade food. We are very grateful for our large extended family and the connections our mother reinforced by keeping track of and sending letters and birthday cards to these many relatives.

When I think of how she practiced Christian values with neighbors, what comes to mind is the nightly care taking of a long-term neighbor in declining health, so her husband could get some rest from continuous duties.

In her parish community of St. Christopher’s, she was catechism teacher for 19 years and especially took pride and joy in her annual First Communion class and their spiritual growth.

Peggy’s passions for spreading her spiritual love extended beyond her parish. A member of the Legion of Mary, she visited nursing homes weekly to pray the Rosary with the elderly. Peggy was also very passionate about the Right to Life movement and traveled to Washington, DC to participate in a march for the unborn.

When the Perpetual Eucharistic Chapel opened at St. George’s Church, she became an adorer doing regular shifts at the chapel. Eventually, she became a divisional leader scheduling for the 12-6 pm shift, finding regular adorers and substitutes when her regular adorers could not cover their shift. It was a labor of love, going through her whole list of substitutes to find someone for Christmas or Thanksgiving. As one substitute told me last night, it was hard to refuse her gently worded request for help. It was her style in all her religious work, to entice people to follow the Path for God. She was so grateful to all of you who answered her call.

About 12 years ago, she nursed her husband Ralph for months in their home so he could pass from this life surrounded by family. Following his death, she used her energy to care for her older sister Rita. Rita gave Peggy what Peggy regarded as a great gift, leaving this world on Peggy’s birthday, October 2nd. Peggy has likewise given this gift to one of her children by passing on the birthday of her youngest son, Brian, February 28th.

Her children would like to especially thank those of you who regularly brought prayer and Holy Communion to her bedside for the past 4 years when she could no longer attend Mass.

Peggy was caring, patient, and a peacemaker. She was one of the sweetest and most generous people to walk the earth. She freely offered her life in service of others and of Christ. I would describe her as a saint. I am sure that many of you may agree. She smiled not only with her mouth but with her twinkling Irish eyes.

Hers was not always a happy life, but her faith carried her throughout the hard times. She is now celebrating freedom from bed and aging body. She is now at peace and she would like you to be also, so I read you this poem that reflects her message:

I am home in Heaven, dear ones,
Oh, so happy and so bright
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,
every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
safely home in Heaven at last.

Did you wonder why I so calmly
trod the valley of the shade?
Oh, But Jesus’ love illumined
every dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet me
in that way so hard to tread;
and with Jesus’ arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or tread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still;
Try to look beyond earth’s shadows,
Pray to trust our Father’s Will.

There is work still waiting for you,
so you must not idly stand;
do it now, while life remaineth
you shall rest in Jesus’ land.

When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!