North Woodstock, CT : Margaret A. "Peggy" (Mellen) St. Jean, 80, passed away on Thursday, June 25th, after several years of declining health.

Peggy was the epitome of grace and kindness. She married the love of her life, Ernest St. Jean, when she was just 20 years old. The following year, her first child, Michael, was born. Mark followed, then Karen, and then Pamela.

Peggy stayed home and raised her children and several of her grandchildren. She enjoyed teaching them and watching their eyes light up with every new thing learned. She was always happy to see her family coming, but even happier with each grandchild and great grandchild. She could whip out a meal and set a beautiful table in a moment's notice.

Peggy enjoyed being outdoors. She kept the home meticulously. She canned and froze most of the fruit and vegetables the family and friends enjoyed over the years. She made blueberry muffins, pies, cookies, jams, jelly and so much more. She was known for her strawberry pies. Ernie did not go a day without a blueberry muffin until recently.

Peggy is survived by her loving, faithful husband of 60 years, Ernie; her children, Michael St. Jean and his wife Patty, Mark St. Jean and his wife Jaime, Karen Cooper and her husband Ben, and Pamela Morse and her husband Marshall; her grandchildren, Ashley, Amanda and Andrea St. Jean, Jenna and Stephanie St. Jean, Julia and Nathaniel Cooper, and Selena, Eric, Macey and Anna Morse; her great grandchildren, Brayden St. Jean and Maevelynne Morse; her brother, Richard Mellen and his wife Pat; and her cousin and best friend since childhood, Florence Zona. Peggy was predeceased by her parents, Richard and Anna (Petersen) Mellen, and her grandchildren, Christopher St. Jean and H. Molly Morse.

A graveside service for Peggy will be held on Wednesday, July 1st, at 11:00am in the Central Cemetery, North Woodstock, CT. There are no calling hours. A memorial service in Crossroads Christian Church will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation payable to Westview Residents Recreation Activity Fund, c/o Louise Taylor, Westview Health Care Center, PO Box 428, Dayville CT 06241.

The Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, is directing arrangements.