Margaret "Peggy" Nystrom

After a long and healthy life Margaret “Peggy’” Louise Myers Nystrom, age 90, passed away peacefully following a brief illness on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Peabody, MA.  During her last months, she was cared for by her children who took turns visiting, as well as local friends and staff at Brooksby Village Continuing Care and the hospice team from Care Dimensions.

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband Richard, who died February 12, 2023, after 70 years of marriage.  She is survived by her four children, Jennifer Souza, Howard (Jennie) Nystrom, Nancy (Todd) Stansbery and Martin (Jen) Ryan-Nystrom. Forever cherished by her nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. 

 Peggy was born July 19, 1933 in Beaver Falls, PA to Beatrice and Howard Myers, and had a younger sister, Evelyn.  She graduated from New Brighton High School, New Brighton, PA where she played the saxophone in the marching band and was active in her church youth group.  She attended Maryville College in Tennessee where she met Richard, and they were married on January 2, 1953.  She worked at Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh while Richard went to Divinity School. Afterwards, they were partners and Peggy excelled as a minister's wife following her husband’s career and managing the home, family, social lives, and community engagement.

 Peggy and Richard lived in eight states:  Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, New Jersey, Florida, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Massachusetts.  Through these experiences Peggy learned of her strengths and developed her skills and natural abilities to adapt to new places, build and maintain relationships, get involved in the community and establish a welcoming and beautiful home wherever she went.

 Peggy had always aspired to work in the medical field, so in her early 40’s she earned her medical assistance degree and enjoyed a satisfying career until retirement.  She first worked in a private practice doctor office directly with patients and then later she managed the office of a speech and audiology practice.  Throughout those years she was an active member of a medical assistant association taking on leadership roles.  

 In their 60’s Peggy and Richard retired and moved to Raleigh, NC to be closer to their son Howard and his family, where they lived for twenty years.  During this time, Peggy cherished her role as grandma.  She also continued her involvement in the church and community work, volunteering at Wake Hospital, a women’s clinic, and doing service work in Haiti.  

 At 82, Peggy was still up for another move and she and Richard found a new home at Brooksby Village in Peabody, MA, a place that she and Richard could enjoy and meet their needs during their later lives.  Brooksby brought them closer to their other three children who lived in Massachusetts and New York.

 Peggy was a woman of strength and love.  She did not sit idle and for her, a good day was when she could say, “I got a lot done.”  She kept a neat and clean home.  Peggy liked to have plans, and to organize and host parties, and she preferred if they had a theme and activities.   She was amazing at directions and loved to drive, especially her MGB convertible.  She loved the art of Georgia O’Keefe, classical and opera music, reading and creative endeavors.  Peggy enjoyed making comfort foods for her family and valued most of all times around the table talking and sharing stories.  She was a great storyteller and could remember everything and everyone.  She was also a great listener.  Most of all she was about people and relationships.  Peggy will be deeply missed and always remembered. 

 A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, May 19 at 1:30 pm at Brooksby Village Chapel, 100 Brooksby Village Drive, Peabody, MA.  It will be followed by a reception where family and friends can share remembrances of Peggy.

 Those who wish to make a memorial contribution in lieu of flowers please make one to Chautauqua Institute https://www.chq.org/.   A place and purpose she valued deeply.