Margaret E. (Bailey) Stewart

WALLINGFORD - Margaret "Peggy" Stewart, 93, passed away on July 3, 2020, after a brief illness under the expert care of professionals at Yale Hospital. She was born August 26, 1926, in Skowhegan, Maine, daughter of the late Bertha and Guy Bailey. She married her childhood sweetheart after WWII, and they lived the career of an Army family for the next twenty years.

The family lived in Europe for eight years along the border of the Iron Curtain during the Cold War, traveling extensively throughout the continent, but always keeping a packed suitcase in the front closet in case the Russians attacked. Life as a military wife is not often glamorous, but she would follow NY fashion and emulate it for herself. This, along with her natural charm, saw her gain key positions among the Womens' Club of whichever base they called home. Every weekend was an adventure, as she would bundle the family into the car and guide them to the corners of the continent visiting palaces, castles along the Rhine River, the Tower of Pisa, Venice, Morocco, Athens, Yugoslavia and the World's Fair in Brussels. During her years as an Army wife she moved fifty-two times and crossed the Atlantic four times, surviving two massive sea storms and a DC-10 which caught fire, all with family in tow and her husband pre-deployed. They lived in Trieste, Italy; Straubing and Regensburg Germany; Fort Hood, Texas; and Fort Polk, Louisiana; settling finally in Wallingford close to family and friends.  Peggy worked at Gaylord Hospital for many years well past her retirement date and was loved by the staff and patients alike.  She would deliver patients to the x-ray department or physical therapy and then bring them back to their rooms always with a smile on her face.

Her many survivors include her son Marc Stewart and his wife Virginia of Wallingford; her daughter Martha Stopkoski of Wallingford; grandchildren:Toni and Jayson Maynard, Mario Parrotta, Brett Stewart, Shelley Dubos and Dominic Parrotta, as well as great grandchildren:  Alyson, Jett, Lil' Nicky, Cody, Mario, Elizabeth and Emily. She was also an aunt to many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Nelson, son-in-law Stanley Stopkoski, sisters Alice and Lynette, and brother Blynn.

In lieu of flowers, Peggy may be remembered with contributions to the Wallingford Dog Pound.

There will be no calling hours. A private burial service will be held at Walnut Grove at the convenience of the family.  B.C. Bailey Funeral Home has been entrusted with final arrangements.  To leave a message of remembrance, please vist www.BaileyCares.com.

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