Margaret Ann Mapes

“Peggy” passed away on 10/7/25 at her home in Harwich, MA, with her eldest son, Rich, by her side.
Peggy was born in Boston, MA, to Joseph and Margaret Murray on June 20, 1937. She went to St. Patrick’s High School in Watertown, MA. She went on to Mt. Auburn’s School of Nursing, graduating as an RN in 1959. Peggy married Richard T. Mapes on 9/18/1965 at St. Theresa’s Church in Watertown, MA. She worked for many years as a nurse in various states and departments over her career, but her favorite job was that of an OR nurse at St. Clare’s Hospital, Denville, NJ. Peggy was very involved with church activities wherever she lived.
While her kids were growing up in Parsippany, NJ, she was very active at St. Peter the Apostle Church as a CCD teacher, Rosary Society member, and bingo volunteer, among countless other activities. She also volunteered at Northvail Elementary and St. Peter’s Elementary Schools when her children were students.
  Peggy and her husband lived in MA, CT, MI, NJ, and NV throughout their married years. They enjoyed retiring to Cape Cod in 1998 after moving back from Nevada to Watertown, MA to help with Peggy’s parents, Peggy and Joe. Peggy and Richard’s daughter moved to MA in 1999 after the birth of their grandson, Kenny. They both helped to take care of Kenny and later granddaughter Margaret (Maggie) in 2005 in their retirement years.
She is survived by her four children and daughter-in-laws, Richard (Jenn), Michael, Dave (Laura), and Meg, six grandchildren, Delia, Martha, Sarah, Olivia, Kenny, and Maggie. She also leaves her beloved siblings and brother-in-law, Joseph Murray, David Murray, adored sister Jean, and husband John Jepson, and cousin Denise Ryan and niece Dorothy Mapes and her nephew and his wife, Patrick and Julie Mapes, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Peggy was predeceased by her cherished husband Richard T. Mapes in March 2010 after 45 years of marriage, her parents Margaret and Joseph Murray, her sister Pauline, her brother and sister in laws, Dory and Marcy Mapes, Linda and Mattie Murray, and her nephew Teddy Mapes, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends, too many to list.
Right now, her son and our brother are battling cancer and winning, and we will wait for a funeral mass when he can safely travel and we can honor her together.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Peggy’s name to The Harwich Family Pantry would be appreciated. Peggy adored shopping at Second Glance, the thrift store for the pantry. Who knows, you might find one of Peggy’s outfits there!
Harwich Family Pantry’
133 Queen Anne Road, Harwich, MA 02645
The entire family would like to express their gratitude and love to Brenda Schofield, whose care extended to our entire family. Her love, care, and support for our Mom in the last year will never be forgotten. We would also like to thank all the Hospice staff and her home health aide, Wahteniece, who provided care that was exceptional, and we are very grateful. A huge thank you to Joan Ryan, who provided Communion to Mom and spiritual comfort. Finally, we would like to acknowledge our Mom’s neighbors who kept their eyes out for her and supported her over the years, Ro and Steve Humphries, Father Mullen, Chris and Mel Peck, and Barbara Wisniewski.
Notes of comfort may be made to Peggy’s family at www.chapmanfuneral.com