Margaret P. Keefe
Owner of the former "The House of Erwin"
Margaret P. Keefe, a lifelong resident of Lowell, passed away peacefully with family and close friends by her side at the home of her niece, Margaret “Peggy” Walker, with whom she has made her home for the past eleven years.
A daughter of Timothy G. and Catherine (Forde) Keefe of Ireland, Margaret was born on February 19, 1918 and had recently celebrated her 102nd birthday. She attended Lowell Public Schools and was a proud graduate of Lowell High School. Shortly after graduation from high school, Margaret began working at The House of Erwin, a local women’s dress shop.
While working, she continued her education taking business courses and preparing for her career. When the opportunity arose, she fulfilled her dream to become an independent business woman as the sole proprietor of The House of Erwin.
Margaret was a trailblazer for young women today because it was very rare at that time for a young, single, female to own and operate a business. She thrived in this role for over 30 years. Frequently traveling to New York to choose the latest fashions for women in the Greater Lowell area, she became well known for her sense of style and elegance.
A lifelong member of St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Margaret was devoted to the Blessed Mother and reciting the rosary was a daily ritual. After retirement, she volunteered for many years at what was known as St. John’s Hospital. Always active in the community, Margaret held past memberships in the St. Margaret of Scotland Church Sodality, The Ladies of Charity, The Seton Guild and The Chamber of Commerce.
In her younger years, Margaret enjoyed skiing, tennis, and traveling. However, her favorite pastime was spending time with her family and caring for those she loved. She always offered something valuable without reservation such as her time, her home, her encouragement, prayers, financial support and her love, freely given with her warm and considerate nature. Our families were blessed to have had such a strong, nurturing woman in our lives. She will be lovingly remembered by all those whose lives she touched.
Margaret was predeceased by her siblings and their spouses, Mary and John Scholl, Rita and Herbert Carr, George and Pauline Keefe and Anne and William Walker. In addition to her niece Peggy, Margaret is survived by her nieces and nephews from the Scholl, Carr, Keefe and Walker families, a cousin, Dorothy Tierney from Holliston, MA and her cousins from Galway, Ireland, Coirle Forde, Ann Walshe, Dermot Forde and Ann Sheridan.
Due to current circumstances, funeral services were held privately. Burial took place at St. Patrick Cemetery in Lowell. A Celebration of Life ceremony for Margaret will be held at a later date yet to be determined. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to Catholic Television, Box 9196, 34 Chestnut Street, Watertown. Arrangements by O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL, MA. - (978) 458-8768.
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