Margaret “Peggy” Boland, RN, 80, from the Green Ridge section of Scranton, passed away suddenly, Sunday afternoon at home, after being stricken ill. She was the wife of the late Patrick J. Boland, who passed away in 2011. At the time of his passing, the couple had been happily married for 43 years.
Born in Scranton in 1942, she was the daughter of the late William and Marguerite Dolan Kerrigan and the sister of the late Nan Kerrigan O’Boyle, Esther Kerrigan, and Bill Kerrigan. Peggy was a proud graduate of St. Paul’s High School and the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. She loved her work as a registered nurse at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City, at Mercy Hospital in Scranton, and as a private duty nurse throughout the region. Peggy was instrumental in forming and opening the oncology care floor at Mercy Hospital. Being a nurse was truly her vocation.
Peggy was a lifelong dedicated member of St. Paul’s Parish. She formerly volunteered with St. Joseph’s Center Auxiliary, the Junior League of Scranton, and Sant’ Andrea Society. More recently, she was a member of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, and volunteered at Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Allied Services Hospice Inpatient Unit, and St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen clothing store. Also, she was a 50-year member of the Country Club of Scranton.
Ever the caregiver, Peggy spent even her very last days ministering to the gravely ill. She volunteered hours every week providing comfort, expertise, and kindness to the sick and dying. Always looking to lend a helping hand to family, friends, and even strangers, Peggy was a paradigm of compassion, kindness, empathy, and resilience. She truly modeled her beloved Catholic faith to all who knew her.
Anyone lucky enough to cross her path, knew that Peg loved being social and was very quick to make a friend. She loved going out to dinner with her many friends, especially with her companion Jack Dietz. Peggy enjoyed a myriad of people of all ages and creeds, as she loved all and stood in judgment of none.
Peggy was the epitome of what a mother should be: unconditionally loving, kind, gentle, fiercely loyal, and always available to her beloved children and grandchildren. Her love for her faith, friends, and family were unparalleled. However, her best friend and greatest love was her husband Pat, with whom she is now joyously reunited.
Surviving are her children Patrick Boland and his wife Michele, Maura Boland and her husband Nick Inzillo, and Christopher Boland and his wife Kelly; her beloved grandchildren Amanda, Brian, and Paige Boland, Nicholas B. Inzillo, and Jake and Noah Boland; her steadfast companion Jack Dietz; her long time and dear friend Linda Nolan; loving nieces and nephews; and many close and cherished friends.
She was also preceded in death by her cousin Ann Marie Payton, brother-in-law Eugene Boland, niece Lynn Boland Lillquist, and nephew Timothy O’Boyle.
Those attending the funeral are asked to go directly to the church.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 9:30am in St. Paul’s Church, 1510 Penn Ave., Scranton.
Friends may call Friday from 3-7pm in the Vanston and James Funeral Home, 1401 Ash St., Scranton.
Interment, Cathedral Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial contributions be made to St. Clare/St. Paul School, 1527 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18509 or to Allied Services Hospice, 100 Abington Executive Park, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.
Kim and Charles Fisher
Maura, Chris, and Pat and all your families, our hearts go out to you. We share your sorrow. Your mom was so caring, giving, and always put others before herself. She loved you all so much and left us with great memories. We have all learned from her devotion to family and friendship. She was a very special person, and we will miss her greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Kim and Charles Fisher
Leo O'Boyle
From my mother I know Peggy to be exceptional person. One has to be extraordinary when voluntarily lending their comforting presence to a complete stranger, bedside, as they die. No doubt the many she helped were there to say “thank you” among God’s words; “well done, good and faithful servant.” May God bring comfort to both family and friends alike, and grant them the grace to grieve well their loss.
Gary Maines
I feel very blessed to have worked with Peggy at Allied Service Hospice unit . Such a loving and caring volunteer . Our patients were never alone because Peggy was always by their side . We’ll miss you Peggy . And we’re so very lucky to have you as part of our hospice family ?
Jim O'Boyle
Pat, Chris, Maura and your wonderful families – please accept the O’Boyle family’s heartfelt sympathy at the sudden passing of your Mom. Our crew here just can’t stop talking about Aunt Peg, all the love she had and all the good she did. Please take solace that you now have one more Heavenly champion to advocate the Lord for your families still here.
Despite geography, the Bolands and the O’Boyles were always close, mainly because of Peg and Nan’s deep love and abiding respect for one another. They were good friends and good sisters, the model for what sisters should be. Didn’t Nana and Papa Kerrigan know what they were about? With a big Scranton smile, Peg would show up in Connecticut and announce,” You two are hereby on Respite ! I’m taking over for the weekend ! “ How did she know that Nan and I needed a break? That bravado never faded even when five kids, including our special guy Tim, overwhelmed her with hugs and kisses. Aunt Peg rolled up her sleeves and took over. The kids loved her, she was their second Mom.
May your sadness be softened by other great memories, which, no doubt, will be recounted in the days to come in our great Irish-Catholic family manner. Nana and Papa, sisters Nan and Esther, brother Bill, your Dad, – the whole Good Crew- are greeting her with open arms. And what a great and good gab session they will have !
-Jim O’Boyle (Sr.)
Sharon O’Malley
Chris, Maura & Pat, I’m sending lots of love to you and your families. What a huge loss for your family.
Love and Prayers,
Sharon O’Malley
Patricia Inzillo
Condolences to Maura and her family on the loss of their loved one. May she rest in peace.
Pam Kerrigan
Chris, Maura And Patric, as your Mom told me many time: grief is the price for love. Peggy was loved by her children, husband and family.
What impressed me about her was her love of family and her sense of humor.
She is missed by many but I know she enjoying a reunion to the family and friends who greeted her in Heaven.
All my love to her children and grandchildren.
Gene Curtin
Very sweet lady! Sending all the Boland’s our condolences.
Matt Price
Sending my love and condolences to my Uncle Chris Boland and the rest of the Boland family.