Margaret Fay

Obituary of Margaret Alice Fay

Margaret Alice Fay

Margaret Alice “Peggy” Cunningham Fay was gently reborn to Eternity on the12th of January, 2018 at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center. Mrs. Fay was born in Manhattan, IL, the eldest child of William and Sara Cunningham. She lived her life and faith firmly committed to her vocations as wife, mother, religious educator, and champion of the Arts

Born in Manhattan, IL, Peggy completed her primary school education at St. Joseph’s School in Manhattan, IL, Secondary Education at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, and Baccalaureate Degree at Marymount College, Tarrytown, New York, where her musical and dramatic talents were honed. Later, Peggy created and narrated the vocal programs performed with her frequent accompanist, Ginny (Mrs. Charles) Gallagher and was a frequently-invited soloist in high demand.

In the late 1940s, Mrs. Fay was ‘Cousin Peggy’ on WOPA’s children’s program: “The Cousin Peggy Show”. Peggy’s artistic career continued with her iconic performance of “Let’s Take an Old Fashioned Walk” with Franky Carle. By then, a courtship had begun that would lead to the 62-year marriage of Peggy to her late husband, Joliet native James R. Fay, Sr. They married at St. Raymond’s in 1952.

Peggy’s marriage to Jim blessed them with five children, all of whom attended the Cathedral of St. Raymond’s School. Peggy later assumed the mantle of religious educator as a CCD instructor, a duty she fulfilled for over two decades. Mrs. Fay was devoted to the principle that Catholic religious education empowers action through faith. To the last days of her life, she hosted and led a weekly faith sharing community of friends and neighbors in the Cathedral area and interfaith dialog.

Peggy’s devotion for the performing arts never waned. In the early 1970s, she taught and directed theatrical performances at Providence High School in New Lenox. She initiated a decade’s long tenure of both participation in and leadership of the Chicago Drama League, culminating with a seven year term as its President.

Peggy’s devotion to the Cathedral community grew beyond religious education. Together with her late husband, Mrs. Fay served St. Raymond Cathedral fundraising and charitable groups as well as Visitation and Aid Society, Childer Guild, and Cartitas, as well as many others.

Peggy Fay is survived by her sister,  Annette Cunningham of NY City; children, Patrick of Pawling, NY, Meagen (William Gunther) of Hollywood, CA, Edward (Cathreen Clohisy) of Wilmette IL, Christopher (Milena Villamar) of Glenco IL; thirteen grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her husband, James R. Sr. (2015) and son James R. Jr. (1987)

Funeral Services for Margaret “Peggy” Fay will be Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 9:15 a.m. from the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet to the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus for a Mass of Resurrection at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the Fay family asks that you be as generous as possible with donations of time and/or treasure to causes to which their mother was deeply committed; The St. Raymond’s Cathedral Development Fund, The Chicago Provence of the Society of Jesus, Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate, The St. Vincent De Paul Society, and Meals on Wheels.  Visitation will be open for all on Tuesday from 2 – 7 p.m.  For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or you may visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com

Tuesday
16
January

Visitation

2:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Fred C. Dames Funeral Homes - Joliet
3200 Black at Essington Roads
Joliet, Illinois, United States
(815) 741-5500
Wednesday
17
January

Mass of Christian Burial

10:00 am
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus
604 N. Raynor Avenue
Joliet, Illinois, United States
Prayers at the funeral home chapel will be held at 9:15 a.m before procession to the church.

Inurnment

Resurrection Cemetery, Romeoville
Rt. 53 and W. 135th Street
Romeoville, Illinois, United States
Private inurnment at a later date.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, the Fay family asks that you be as generous as possible with donations of time and/or treasure to causes to which their mother was deeply committed; The St. Raymond’s Cathedral Development Fund, The Chicago Provence of the Society of Jesus, Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate, The St. Vincent De Paul Society, and Meals on Wheels.