Margaret M. “Peg” Vacca, 82, of Nobleboro, and formerly a longtime resident of Enfield, Conn., died peacefully on Feb. 12. Born on Sept. 30, 1927 in Canton, Mass., she was the daughter of the late James Joseph and Margaret Mary (Slattery) Dowling.
She was a graduate of Canton High School, class of 1945. She graduated from Fisher Junior College, Class of 1948 with an Associate’s Degree in Medical Secretarial Sciences. While at Fisher, Peg was an active member of the Theta Alpha Chi sorority. Peg worked for a noted orthopedic surgeon in Boston until her marriage to Nicholas Vacca on April 17, 1949. Peg resided in Enfield from 1959 until 2008 and was a member of Holy Family Church in Enfield. She retired as a medical secretary after a long career working in the medical offices of Dr. Brendan Magauran and Dr. Victor Sonnen.
Peg enjoyed the fast pace of the general practice office and the close relationships she developed with the patients. Peg was involved with the University of the Third Age at Asnuntuck Community College and was very active with the AARP 3062 of Enfield. An avid reader, she enjoyed the many books offered by the Enfield Public Library. Peg was an accomplished pianist and organist; her greatest relaxation was sitting at her organ playing her favorite tunes and never missed an opportunity to have a grandchild sit by her side and “play” along with her. Peg also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, baking and cooking.
She and her late husband Nicholas enjoyed going to the theater and traveling. They went on a number of cruises, took a memorable trip to Hawaii and participated in numerous AARP excursions. Most of all, Peg’s greatest joy in life was the time she spent with her family. While in Maine, she became a fast favorite of the staff of Lincoln County Heathcare and enjoyed many pleasant chats with members of her daughter’s extended family and friends.
Peg was predeceased by her beloved husband, Nicholas in 2008; her dearest son, Michael F. Vacca in 2001; and brother, James R. Dowling.
A loving mother, grandmother and aunt, Peg is survived by her daughter, Karen (Vacca) Howell and husband Barry of Nobleboro; daughter-in-law, Rosanne (Mottola) Vacca of Farmington, Conn.; grandchildren, Meghan (Vacca) Spurr and husband Scott of Tariffville, Conn., Nicholas and Ryan Vacca of Farmington, Conn., Christopher, Elizabeth and Patrick Howell of Nobleboro; sisters-in-law, Alma Dowling of Carver, Mass., and Josephine (Vacca) Ostrom of Norton, Mass.; brother-in-law, Francis “Vic” Vacca of Mansfield, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews.
Peg’s family will receive relatives and friends 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Fri., Feb. 19 at the Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd., Enfield, followed by a funeral service at 12 p.m. at the same location. Committal service will follow in the Hazardville Cemetery.
The family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to the Cove’s Edge Skilled Nursing Facility, c/o Miles Development Office, 35 Miles St., Damariscotta, ME 04543 or to the Enfield Public Library, 104 Middle Rd., Enfield, CT 06082.
For additional information, directions or to extend an online expression of sympathy, please visit www.leetestevens.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Leete-Stevens Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, 61 South Rd., Enfield, Conn.
