IN MEMORIAM: Peg Torruella, 81;
‘Mrs. T’ Well-Known In Cooperstown
COOPERSTOWN – Margaret A. (Peg) Torruella, 81, beloved wife of Maurice passed away at her home on May 7, 2016 surrounded by her family.
Peg was born in Hartford, Conn., on March 24, 1935, to Eleanor and Vincent James McDonald. After spending her childhood years growing up in Yonkers and The Bronx, and marrying her husband Maurice (of 61 years), she moved to New City.
Here she raised her six children creating wonderful memories and life-long relationships with her great neighbors and friends. All who met Peg could feel the warmth and caring heart she had for people.
Her husband’s work brought them to Milford in 1980 and soon after to Cooperstown. There was a short time that Peg and Maurice moved to North Carolina, but their hearts belonged in Cooperstown.
Peg was an accomplished seamstress and an avid reader. One of the many fond memories her children have of her were the matching mother-daughter dresses she made for all four daughters and the marching into Sunday services at St. Augustine’s each week.
Many Halloweens she would create custom costumes for her children, grandchildren and little friends, bringing them such delight. When not sewing (ironing, cleaning, or cooking!), Peg was reading her favorites: mysteries and romantic novels. When done reading the books, she would pass them onto those that would enjoy them.
Often one of the first signs of spring on Linden Avenue was Peg and her grandchildren or neighborhood children creating huge bubbles with an over-sized bubble-wand. Another favorite past time of Peg’s was shopping at the SPCA Thrift Store.
Wednesday/Senior Day was her favorite day to shop. She was always thrilled with her great finds and most times would re-gift them or decorate her home with the many treasures.
Wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and sister, Peg was blessed with six children: Reese Torruella (Beth) of Garner, N.C., William Torruella (Maria) of Oneonta, Margaret Torruella of Montgomery, in Orange County, Theresa Andidero (Ray), also of Montgomery, Michelle Adsit (Bill) of Cooperstown, and Cheryl Torruella (Brenda) of Sauquoit.
She will be greatly missed as well by her numerous nieces and nephews. Peg had a total of 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was also proud of all the children she babysat over the years in the Village of Cooperstown and became known as “Mrs. T.” Peg was the happiest when she had a baby in her arms.
Another very important relationship Peg treasured was her Cherry Valley church family. Going to mass and coffee hour was a weekly ritual as she cherished this time spent with her second family.
Peg was one of eight children. She is preceded in death by her sister, Mary Cole, and brothers Edward and William McDonald. Surviving siblings are Vincent McDonald, Joseph McDonald, Eleanor Pignatelli and Gary McDonald.
Calling hours will be 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, at Tillapaugh Funeral Services, 28 Pioneer St., Cooperstown.
A funeral mass will be celebrated by Father John Roos at 11 a.m, Friday, May 13, 2at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Cherry Valley.
In lieu of flowers please donate to your local food bank in Peg’s name or the Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Tillapaugh Funeral Service.