Sturbridge: Margaret 'Peggy' Eileen (Sozek) Cummings.  Peggy (or Pegeen as her husband often called her) joined her husband in eternal embrace on Saturday, May 16th, surrounded by her family.  Her husband (Donald) of 60 years pre-deceased her in October of 2025.  She was also predeceased by her sister Patricia (Sozek) Clark in 2012.

She leaves her two sons, Donald P. Cummings III and his wife Deborah of Oxford and Shawn Patrick Cummings of Shrewsbury; her four daughters, Tracy Edmiston and her husband Jonathan of Milton, GA, Kelley Horner and her husband Jeff of West Brookfield, Erin Cummings-Lapriore and her husband Jon of Southbridge, and Katie Cummings-Griswold and her husband Casey of Sturbridge.  She also leaves her 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Peggy was the daughter of Maximilian Sozek and Margaret (Moore) Sozek.  She was born and grew up in New York City spending most of her childhood in Astoria.  Peggy graduated from Valley Stream High School (Long Island) in 1961.  She maintained close contact with several members of her graduating class and attended several reunions.  She attended Quinsigamond Community College.

Raising six children resulted in her developing the knack for being thrifty and being very economically sound.  In fact, it was her shopping skills that resulted in her opening a successful thrift business.  She ran Backstreet, a thrift boutique, in Southbridge from 1992 up to 2022.  She loved her customers, and they frequently returned if only to catch up.

Peggy was a champion for all her children.  Her second son Shawn was born with special needs and was the light of her life.  She also had to learn how to manage Type One Diabetes as five of her six children were diagnosed with the disease at various stages in their life.  She could have written a history on treatment protocols and devices that only improved from the time Shawn was diagnosed in 1972.

Peggy's life was inundated with countless dogs and cats.  Her beloved Clancy was the last dog to bless her life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to BreakthroughT1D (formerly JDRF) or the Here Today Adopted Tomorrow Animal Sanctuary.

Peggy's funeral will be held on Friday, May 22nd, from the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge with a Mass at 10:00am in St. Mary's Church of the St. John Paul II Parish, 247 Hamilton St., Southbridge.  Burial will follow in North Cemetery, Sturbridge.  Calling hours in the funeral home will be held on Thursday, May 21st, from 5:00 to 7:00pm.