46° and Patchy rain nearby
Image
Margaret “Peg” Simpson, FHS Class of 1940, is a fixture in Franklin for friends and family...and Monday at noon was celebrating with a select group -- lunch and cake for her 100th birthday!
Organized by friends such as Patty Wylie and Donna Copponi, with help from the Senior Center, yesterday’s modest fete is the first in what promises to be a busy series of events – a family gathering next and then, honors and recognition from the Town and the Commonwealth in a few weeks.
Margaret Mary Simpson was born on May 9, 1922. Among the news items in the Sentinel that week, the Grand Army of the Republic (Civil war) veterans and the Spanish American War Veterans were planning a “field day” for July, a local resident had just returned from Europe on the White Star line, and the local Knights of Columbus were holding a minstrel show.
According to Copponi, Peg worked for more than 40 years as an LPN at Wrentham State School and also worked as a waitress at King Philip Ballroom where she “met loads of celebrities including Tony Bennett and The Dawson Brothers."
When not working, Peg reportedly enjoyed going out dancing at King Phillip and at various place on Federal Hill in Providence, but ‘never getting into any trouble.’
Peg traveled across the country with her mother and aunt and internationally as well with her friends. On one occasion in Austria Peg led the Conga Line right out of a restaurant with the chef and patrons all in tow dancing through the little town.
Peg has been an active member at St. Mary Parish volunteering as a Eucharistic Minister and the Treasurer of The Society of St. Vincent DePaul.
Peg has two nephews Karl and Mark, whom she adores, and their families too.
Peg still lives on her own in Central Park Terrace and often takes short walks. She enjoys clam chowder or a hot dog from her favorite spot, Nicky's, a daily York Peppermint Patty and “an occasional Budweiser.”
For a “deeper dive” with Peg Simpson, check out “Nine Decades in Franklin” with Peg Simpson on Youtube.
