Margaret "Peggy" Sitarz

Margaret "Peggy" (Walsh) Sitarz, 67, of West Hartford, died peacefully at home on January 27, 2016. She was the loving wife of John W. (Jack) Sitarz for 37 years. The daughter of the late William and Eileen (Lynch) Walsh, she grew up in Canton, NY, where she experienced an idyllic childhood of ice skating, skiing and swimming in rivers and lakes. She was a graduate of Russell Sage College. Peggy began her career as a French teacher in Cambridge, NY and worked both in Atlanta, GA and then in Hartford for Travelers Insurance Company. She later worked at Holy Apostles College and Seminary. However, her cherished vocation was always that of wife, mother and CEO of the home. She loved music and books, was a member of two book clubs and two French conversation classes, and treasured deep conversations with family and friends. She loved the Adirondacks. She was a devoted member of St. Thomas the Apostle parish for 34 years, a quietly passionate “church lady,” attending daily Mass, promoting pro-life advocacy and serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion to the homebound and to those in nursing homes. She was a dedicated Brownie leader and Girl Scout badge group leader. She volunteered and served on boards at her daughters’ Catholic schools as well as volunteering for many years as both a board member of Birthright of Greater Hartford and as a counselor, providing support and encouragement to enable girls and women to give birth to their babies. Despite living for years with Multiple Sclerosis and more recently with ALS, she remained positive and continued to live an active life. Peggy’s cheerful personality, honest, and fun-loving nature brought joy to those who knew her. Quite simply she was fun to be around. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, relative, neighbor and friend. In addition to her her husband Jack, she is survived by three daughters, Julia and her husband Krzysztof Lasek of West Hartford, Mary Kate of Manchester and Jane of West Hartford; two cherished grandchildren, Zuzu and Timmy Lasek; two brothers, Michael Walsh of Malone, NY and Denis Walsh of Canton, NY; and three dear cousins, who, upon their parents’ deaths, were raised as part of her family: Lawrence Hazen, Eileen Hazen Perez and Dan Hazen and their families. Peggy was extremely grateful for the extraordinary care and support provided by her immediate family members, extended family, neighbors, and friends; the dedicated members of Franciscan Home Care & Hospice Care, especially Sr. Catherine Mary Clark, Agnes Dion, and Janet Judd; as well as by Dr. Kevin Felice and the team from the ALS Clinic at the Hospital for Special Care. Visiting hours will be held from 1 to 5 pm, Sunday, January 31 at Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated directly at St. Thomas the Apostle Church on Monday, February 1 at 10 am. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Birthright of Greater Hartford, 912 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108 or to Franciscan Home Care & Hospice Care, 257 Finch Avenue, Meriden, CT 06451.