OBITUARY: Margaret F. (MacDonald) Watkins, 83, Longtime Co-Owner Of Robert’s Carpet

Below is an obituary from Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home:

BURLINGTON, MA — Margaret F. (MacDonald) Watkins, former co-owner of Robert’s Carpet in Wilmington passed away peacefully at her home after being lovingly cared for by her family for the past several years. She was 83 years old. The devoted daughter of Joseph and Mary Jane MacDonald, she was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The pretty girl next door that friends and family simply called Peggy grew up in Burlington and was a 1957 graduate of Burlington High School. She married her childhood sweetheart, Robert (Bob) Watkins on January 6, 1958. They had a wonderful marriage filled with mutual support, a strong bond, and following their vow would love each other in sickness and in health.

Peggy and Bob were always together and always a team. They were partners in raising their children and at work. They worked side by side at their business, Robert’s Carpet, located on Main Street in Wilmington for 35 years. Peggy handled some of the sales floor and the books. They were wonderful dancers, the result of years of lessons at the Burlington Recreation Department and being members of a ballroom dancing club in Wilmington. In their retirement years, they went to Panera’s in Burlington almost every day to have coffee or a snack and visit with friends.

Hampton Beach was a very special place for Peggy and Bob as well. Although their business was a 6-day a week commitment, their cottage in Hampton Beach was their weekend getaway. They spent mornings walking the beach, afternoons enjoying the cottage, and evenings going to church, attending concerts, or just appreciating the time spent as a family.

Peggy and Bob had a strong Catholic faith. Peggy went to the small original Saint Margaret’s Church on the corner of Winn Street and Center Street. They were married in new Saint Margaret’s Church and have been active members of Saint Malachy’s Church since its opening in 1963. Bob and family managed to regularly get Peggy to church up until 2 weeks ago.

Peggy was a wonderful mother to her children. She made a wonderful home for her family. Her backyard pool was the gathering spot for her children’s friends and for many summer cookouts. She loved her children unconditionally and was so proud to see them become strong responsible adults.

The past two years slowly took away Peggy’s memories, the result of dementia. But her husband, her family and all the people that loved and supported her allowed her to live in her beloved Burlington and Hampton homes until her passing Friday morning. Peggy is now at peace. She will be remembered for her wonderful smile, her stylish ways, and most importantly for the love she showered upon her family and friends.

Peggy was the beloved wife of 65 years of Robert Watkins. She was the loving mother of Robert Watkins, Jr. and his husband Owen Doherty of Billerica and Linda Watkins and her longtime partner Jimmy Stack of Billerica. She was the sister of Ronald MacDonald of Burlington, Nancy Flynn of Woburn, and Joseph MacDonald of Nova Scotia. She was the sister-in-law of Carole Grossi, Irene Watkins, Joanne MacDonald and the late Joe Flynn and James Watkins. Peggy was also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home on Monday, February 6 from 4-7 p.m. The Funeral procession will commence at the Sullivan Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 7 at 11 a.m. The Mass will be held at noon at the Saint Malachy Church in the Saint Veronica Parish, 99 Bedford Street Burlington, followed by a Christian Burial in Pine Haven Cemetery. Memorials in Peggy’s name may be made to St. Veronica Parish, 99 Bedford Street, Burlington, MA 01803.

For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net.