Margaret Rose O'Hara

Margaret Rose "Peg" O'Hara

Surrounded by her loving family, in the home where she resided for 59 years, Margaret Rose “Peg” O’Hara, 74, died on June 15, 2017, after a nearly 20-year battle with breast cancer. She was the devoted and cherished wife of Lawrence H. O'Hara.

Born January 3, 1943, in Baltimore, she was the second of three daughters born to the late Michael and Sally (Lyons) Clarke.

The family moved to Frederick in 1956, where she attended St. John’s Grade School and then St. John’s Literary Institution for her high school years. She was a graduate of Hood College with a degree in education, then taught at various elementary schools in Frederick County.

Peg met the love of her life at a St. Patrick’s Day dance, and they married on August 14, 1970.   In the years that followed, Peg continued to selflessly care for her mother as well as her growing family. After the passing of her parents, Peg re-entered the field of education and began working at St. John Regional Catholic School where she helped start the QUEST enrichment program which benefitted students grades K-8.   She was a dedicated educator who was passionate about implementing the concepts of multiple intelligences in her classroom.

As a lifelong Catholic, Peg lived her faith every day as a true example of a humble and faithful servant of the Lord. Peg served in many roles at both St. John the Evangelist and St. Katharine Drexel parishes. To the benefit of various parishes, Peg began the Christmas Basket Program thirty years ago which continues to provide meals and gifts during the Christmas season to those in need. Peg’s efforts and example of faith filled living were recognized when she was the recipient of the Baltimore Archdiocesan Medal of Honor.

Peg and Larry felt very fortunate to be able to return to her parents’ homeland of Ireland, where they enjoyed many visits with her extended family. Peg also enjoyed journal writing, gardening, long walks around Frederick, and spending time at the beach with family and friends. She was a gifted writer who would often use her talents to reach out to so many people with her unique words of love, acceptance, prayer, and encouragement.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by their three children, Sally Proulx and husband Nelson; Mary Haley and husband Patrick; and Larry O'Hara and wife Heidi. She was “Mammy” to nine grandchildren, Daniel Proulx, Lawrence Proulx, Clara Proulx, Michael Haley, Rose Haley, Ellen Haley, Sadie Haley, Lily O'Hara, and Lucy O'Hara, all of Frederick. One of the greatest gifts she gave to her children and grandchildren was the personal relationship she had with each of them, and her ability to celebrate their unique personalities.   She is also survived by her devoted sisters, Kathleen Gouker of Frederick, and Ellen Woodcock and husband Bill, of Libertytown, as well as a loving extended family near and abroad.

The faith that Peg lived assures that even through this enormous loss, we can be comforted by God’s promise that she has been reunited with those who have gone before her and that we will see her again.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 7pm on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at the Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00PM, on Thursday, June 22, 2017, at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, 8428 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702. Father Keith Boisvert will officiate. Interment will follow at St. John's Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the “SKD Christmas Basket Program”, at St. Katharine Drexel Church, 8428 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702.

Online condolences may be shared at www.keeneybasford.com