Obituary
HODNETT, Margaret M. (Byrnes) – Of Medford, April 23, 2024 after a period of declining health and surrounded by family Margaret was fortunate to pass in the home she loved and welcomed many to in the last 65 years.
Beloved wife of the late Paul Hodnett who passed in 2005 after 55 years of marriage.
Cherished daughter of the late Michael J. Byrnes, Sr. and Margaret C. (Driscoll) Byrnes.
Survived by her children and their spouses, Atty. Paul J. Hodnett and his wife, Anita of Stoneham, Margaret “Terry” Thomas and her husband Ward of Voluntown, CT, Cathy DiCecca and her husband Rick of Chelmsford, Kevin Hodnett and John Hodnett both of Medford, and her son -in -law Andrew Regula of Plymouth. She was predeceased by her son, Michael Hodnett and daughter Susan (Hodnett) Regula.
Devoted sister of Catherine Stearns of Medford, Eileen F. Byrnes of Malden, Michael J. Byrnes, Jr. of Tewksbury, William McMullen of Maine and James M. Byrnes of Brewster all of whom predeceased her. Also survived by her dear sister- in-law Antoinette Byrnes.
Margaret is also survived by eight (8) grandchildren and spouses Brianne Queeney, Caitlin (Chris) Bashaw, Shauna (Paul) Dellaia, Ricky DiCecca, Kyle (Lauren) Hodnett, Jamie (Conor )Kelly, Skye Hodnett and Shane Hodnett, five (5) great- grandchildren: Jackson, Ava, Logan, Margaret Frances (Maggie) and Harper and many nieces and nephews from the Hodnett, Stearns and Byrnes families.
Margaret (Peggy) was gifted with a long life. She was 93 at her passing. She was in the vanguard of the post- war modern wife and mother. She met the challenges and demands of the modern wife and mother. With a long life comes many trials and triumphs. She met the trials head on. While in high school she had to serve as care giver for her mother who eventually succumbed to cancer.
She graduated St. Patrick’s High School in Roxbury in 1948. She married her beloved husband Paul in 1950. They were blessed with seven (7) children between 1951 and 1965 and she returned to the outside working world in 1964 while still balancing the responsibility of the household and raising her children.
She worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Transportation until she retired in 1989 after twenty five years, except she did not retire. She spent the next twenty (20) years providing day care, nurturing and impacting the lives of her grandchildren at her home on Main Street in Medford.
Her grandson Ricky summed up the impact she had on all her grandchildren when he went off to college and sent her a note at the beginning of his freshman year, he wrote:
“Where to begin? You’ve done so much for me in my life. You and Pat were amazing to me. You spoiled me, taught me and babysat me. This card isn’t just to thank for the graduation gifts you gave me but also to thank you for everything you have done for me as my grandmother and my friend…..I will miss my weekly Sunday dinners but don’t worry I will eat my vegetables. I will miss you Nana. I will see you soon.”
Always the protective mother in 2005 at the age of 74 she had to be a primary care giver again. This time for her son Michael who had cancer. For four years she shuttled him to his appointments, recovery from surgery, coordinated his treatments and medication.
In her later years, finally with a time to rest, her Sunday dinners became the focus of her week as she sat at the head of the table and she was filled with excitement and joy from the noise and commotion caused by the presence of her great- grandchildren.
Whether you called her Peggy, Ma, Nana or Gigi, paraphrasing her grandson Ricky who spoke for all of us when he said “We will miss you and we will see you soon”
The family would like to offer their thanks to Tufts Medicine Care at Home Hospice Team and in particular to her primary care nurse Theresa.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Margaret’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 125 S. Huntington Ave, Boston 02130 or online at https://donate.cancer.org as cancer had such a profound impact on Margaret’s life with the loss of her mother, mother-in-law, son and daughter to cancer.
Calling Hours will be held in the George L. Doherty Funeral Home 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq) Somerville on WEDNESDAY, May 1st from 9:00AM to 11:00AM. Followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Joseph Church 118 High St., Medford at 11:30AM.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.
Services will conclude with Margaret being laid to rest with her beloved husband Paul at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
