Margaret "Peggy" Mary Donnelly

Margaret “Peggy” Mary Donnelly, 91 of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

Born on February 19, 1934, in Brooklyn, NY, Peggy was a daughter of the late Anna Elizabeth (Mullady) Devoy and Joseph Fenton Michael Devoy. She will be remembered for her sunny disposition and unwavering commitment to not only her family, but the poor and less fortunate.

From Brooklyn, Peggy moved to Ozone Park, Queens, later attending St. John’s University, where she met her husband Robert Donnelly, eventually moving out to Maplewood, NJ where she resided for nearly 35 years and raised her family of seven children. She was an avid member of the Maplewood Garden Club, a friend to neighbor and nature alike. She worked diligently for the Essex County Hall of Records for many years. Later, she worked passionately with the Rectory at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, a beaming pillar in her community and source of joy and hope for many.

A later challenge affirmed Peggy’s commitment to others; Peggy was a primary caretaker to her eldest son Robert “Bobby” Donnelly after he was paralyzed in a tragic car accident at the age of 26. Her 30 years at his side were a testament to that love and support she showed throughout her life.

In her later years she moved to Madison, NJ where she volunteered her time to St. Vincent Church, furthering her commitment to serving others as a Eucharistic Minister to the homebound. All who knew her remarked of her selflessness and faith. Peggy fostered her love of new experiences and cultures, traveling extensively around Europe with her church group at St. Vincent’s. She remained active with the Chatham and Madison Garden Clubs, a continuing her lifelong hobby and passion.

In 2019, Peggy relocated to South Carolina, where she remained for the rest of her life. As a friend to all, she found new community easily in Daniel Point Independent Living and Atria Senior Living. Peggy recently celebrating her 91st birthday with friends and family, a testament to a long and fruitful life.

Peggy is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Fenton Michael and Anna Elizabeth (Mullady) Devoy; her sisters, Elizabeth “Betty” Mulcahy and Ann Sapienza, and her son Robert “Bobby” Donnelly.

Peggy is survived by her two daughters, Deirdre McMurtry and Claudia Donnelly; four sons, David Donnelly, Christopher Donnelly (Catherine), Colin Donnelly, and Brian Donnelly (Christine); and cherished grandchildren David, Hailey, Scott, Joseph, Chris, Jamie, Fiona, Avery, Gillian, Liam, Jack, Romy, and Yulee.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am on Monday, March 24, 2025, at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, 990 Etiwan Park Street, Daniel Island, SC 29492.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Foundation, a charitable, educational foundation to support education, research and patient care, to recognize the exceptional cardiac care Peggy received at the University.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation - Mount Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, 843-884-3833.