Margaret Begin-Freeman

BOYLSTON- Margaret (Peggy) Begin-Freeman, 59,passed away peacefully surrounded by her family after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. She lived a life full of contagious laughter where she was truly the life of the party in every room she entered.

Peggy grew up in Augusta, Maine. She went to Cony High School and graduated in 1985. She spent many summers in Bar Harbor, where she made lifelong friends and her cat, Max, became a well-known public figure around town.

After she graduated she went on to work through a variety of professions. She spoke fondly of her time as a phenomenal waitress and bartender at many restaurants in and around Bar Harbor, and she often reminisced on her time as a paralegal administrative assistant. Peggy finished her bartending career/side hustle at Le Club Calumet where she will be fondly remembered.

Peggy was well known for her quick-witted remarks and her brilliant humor. You always knew it was her coming when you heard the warmhearted “what’s up buttercup!” from around the corner.

Peg lived her twenties and thirties to the fullest in Arizona, Georgia and other states beyond. After many years she moved back home to Belgrade where she enjoyed reuniting with family and old friends. Her nieces and nephews fondly remember many days spent with her in childhood, beading necklaces, watching Family Feud and binging movies together. She spent her entire life sharing what she loved with those she loved — the world-wide adventures, her profound recipe collection and her wise advice on how to be impeccably sarcastic. She loved this earth passionately and accomplished many items on her “bucket list” with her husband, Jeff. Her family was above all; her friends a close second. Her soul cats, Cassie and Lex kept her company through many joyful years from state to state and her family knows without a doubt that she is rejoicing with them now. Peg was a fantastic chef, winning a recipe competition that was published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She hand wrote many of her recipes and was happiest sharing her most beloved recipes with those around her. She was an adventurous foodie, and influenced everyone around her to expand their palate through numerous cultures, her favorites being Thai, Indian and Moroccan recipes. Even in her final days she ensured careworkers, friends and family from near and far had a little piece of her to pass on through generations.

She spent the last decade traveling the country with her husband Jeff, exploring the beauties of the states from Maine to Florida and beyond in their RV. Even though she was thousands of miles away, Peggy never missed a single birthday, holiday or a milestone. She loved her family and friends fiercely, her laughter lit up a room and her wit was never mistaken.

Peggy is survived by her devoted husband Jeffrey Freeman, her parents, Pauline and Gerard Bechard, her sisters Melanie Jewell, Sheila Krouse, Cindy Soiett, Kathy Begin Bilodeau, Joleen Spencer and her brother Stephen Bechard; her nieces, Olivia Jewell, Madison Jewell, Trisha Warchol, Julie Moore and nephews, Spencer Soiett, Alex Matthews, Ryan Bechard and Zachary Bechard.

She is predeceased by her biological mother, Susan Atwood Begin of Augusta. Her family gives the utmost thanks to her former nurse turned friend, Courtney Letourneau, her oncology nurse Elizabeth Duncan, her medical team at UMass Memorial Cancer Center, and the many wonderful and dedicated hospice nurses from Brookhaven Hospice who cared for her in her final days.

Per Peggy’s wishes, there will not be an official funeral or celebration of life. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UMass Memorial Cancer Center. In honor of Peggy, her family encourages everyone to complete their recommended cancer screenings.