OBITUARY: Ellen M. "Peg" (Mackey) Keefe, 99, of Tewksbury

TEWKSBURY – Ellen “Peg” (Mackey) Keefe, age 99, of Tewksbury, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2016 at her son’s home in Lowell surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in East Boston on June 11, 1917, daughter of the late Jeremiah and Alice (Colbert) Mackey.

She moved to Tewksbury at the age of 11 and attended the Tewksbury schools.

She was a parishioner at St. William’s and then St. Dorothy’s Church.

Peg was the oldest female World War II veteran in Tewksbury. She had enlisted into the Women’s Army Corp. and served from 1943 to 1946. She earned the rank of Sergeant and was a decorated veteran, having received the American Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal, to name a few.

After the war, she married her late husband Joseph Keefe, on January 29, 1946.

She is survived by their three sons and their spouses, Joseph and Margaret (MacMullin) Keefe of Lowell, Gerald and Deborah (Guire) Keefe of Tewksbury and Timothy Keefe of Nashua, NH. Eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. She always enjoyed being with her loving family and friends for the gatherings and good times that brought people together.

Peg was one of eight children of a very prominent family, better known as the “Mackey Family” or one of the “Mackey Girls”. She is survived by her siblings Allie Casazza, Tess Berube, Rita O’Brien Dee, and Jim and his wife Carol (Lombardi) Mackey, and a sister-in-law Peggy Mackey of Kansas, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was also the sister of the late Joe Mackey & his late wife Rita, Dick and Ned Mackey. Sister-in-law to the late Frank Casazza, Tom Berube, Donald Dee, Ginny Mackey, Doc Keefe, Mike Keefe, May Richards, Anna Donovan.

Peg was a long standing Icon in the Tewksbury Community. She was retired from the Tewksbury Treasurer’s office, and served the town as an Election Worker/Clerk (Precinct 1) for over 40 years. As a volunteer; she was always an active member of the Senior Center, including dances, breakfasts, acting in the shows, and was famous for her creative Halloween costumes. She served as a member of the Council on Aging for many years and was involved in the Golden Age Club, American Red Cross Blood Banks and was active in her church.
She had been an active participant of the Memorial Day Parade for over 30 years, and had the honor of being the “Grand Marshall” for the 275th Anniversary of the town in 2009. Peg took great pride and honor in flying the American Flag from the flag pole in her yard. Peg was a humble treasure to her family, friends, country and the Town of Tewksbury.

Calling hours are Thursday, Sept. 29, from 4-8 p.m., at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Her funeral will begin Friday, Sept. 30, at 9 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by her Funeral Mass at 10 a.m., at St. Dorothy’s Church, Cor. of Main & Harnden Sts., Wilmington. Interment to follow at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Tewksbury Senior Center, 175 Chandler St., Tewksbury, MA 01876. www.farmeranddee.com

Obituary and photo courtesy of the Farmer and Dee Funeral Home.