Margaret Anne Palm, known as "Peggy" to friends and "Dee" to family, was born to Kathleen and Joseph Breen on April 5, 1955 in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. She died at home on May 22 surrounded by her family. Throughout her life, Peggy cared for those around her with loving-kindness. As the first of eight children, she helped to raise her four brothers and three sisters. Her father ran a small lumber mill; her grandfather Peter Breen said that, "the Breens have sawdust in their blood."

Margaret was the first person in her family to attend college. She graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. As a student at St. FX, she met her husband Mark W. Palm, of Beverly. She and Mark were married in 1979 and moved to Massachusetts where they built their life together. They lived in Beverly before moving to Marion, and later, to Mattapoisett. Nova Scotia always remained in Margaret’s heart, and visiting her family in her homeland of Canada brought her great joy.

She was a strong, devoted and caring mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend. Her primary job was to ensure that the people she loved were well cared for. Throughout her life, she committed herself to supporting her parents, her siblings, her husband, and most of all, her children. Peggy raised four children: Jonathan, Alan, Jenny and William. She taught them to devote themselves to family and always encouraged them to follow their dreams. She was a consummate homemaker and took pride in keeping a clean, orderly and love-filled home and a beautiful garden. She designed and decorated homes for her family to gather and celebrate together in Nova Scotia and in Mattapoisett.

Peggy always made those around her feel comfortable by listening attentively and asking thoughtful questions. She had a warm smile and a playful sense of humor. A life-long learner, she pursued a passionate interest in health and wellness. She volunteered her time and resources to support those in need.
Peggy took great joy in the simple things of life: cooking and sharing delicious meals with her family, celebrating holidays and birthdays, dancing all night long, walking in the woods, cruising Buzzards Bay on the family boat and picking blueberries in the fields of Nova Scotia.

In 2010 Margaret was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. With the support of her family, Peggy fought heroically to live as long and as well as possible. Through her courage, perseverance and love for life, she was able to celebrate the weddings of two of her children and the birth of three grandchildren. Her strength will forever serve as an inspiration for her family.

Margaret is remembered with love and survived by her husband Mark W. Palm; her son Jonathan Mark Palm and his wife Marcie and their children Avery and Oskar; her son Alan Breen Palm and his wife Maya; her daughter Jennifer Dee Crepeau and her husband Peter and their daughter Oliva Dee Crepeau; her son William Joseph Palm and his partner Mollie; her parents Joseph and Kathleen Breen; her brother Ronnie Breen and his wife Lisa; her brother Chis Breen and his wife Vanessa; her brother Joseph Allen Breen; her sister Debbie Arsenault and her husband Francis; her sister Elaine Berry and her husband Paul; and her sister Karen Langille and her husband Al. Margaret was pre-deceased by her brother Paul Breen in 1985.

Her visiting hours will be on Tuesday, May 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.