Obituary of Margaret Prendergast

PRENDERGAST Margaret, "Peg," age 86, of Ramsey, formerly of Wyckoff, passed away Monday, November 21, 2016. Born, raised and educated in Jersey City, she was predeceased by her son, John, in 1965, her husband, John, in 1993, and her siblings, John, Mary Helen and Eileen. Peg coached cheerleading for 44 years, first at St. Elizabeth's in Wyckoff and later at St. Joseph's Regional High School in Montvale. She retired in 2014. "Mrs. P" touched many young lives and was beloved by all. She was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township, NJ, and St. Joseph's Regional High School. A parishioner at St. Elizabeth's since 1964, she was a member of the choir for 37 years, an activity that brought her much joy. Peg embraced everything about her Irish heritage, especially the music and dance. She maintained connections with family in Ireland, and was an avid student of all things Irish, most notably, its history. Peg is survived by her loving children: Kevin of River Edge, NJ; William and his wife Ellen of Warrington, PA; daughter Mary Kay Ream and her husband, Roger of Oak Hill, VA; Brian of Ramsey, NJ; and Sheila Cardell and her husband, Chris of Trumbull, CT. She will be missed by her 10 cherished grandchildren: Caitlin Brodie, Justin Prendergast, Alanna Ream, Kelly McGonigal, Brooke Ream, Julia Murphy, Carolyn Cardell, Courtney, Meghan and Patrick Prendergast, as well as two great-grandchildren: Jack Brodie and Michael McGonigal. She is also survived by her siblings: Tim, Kathleen, and James, and dozens of adoring nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be Friday, November 25, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, November 26, at 10 a.m. at St. Elizabeth's Church, 700 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff. Interment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Peg's memory to St. Elizabeth's Church, St. Joseph's Regional High School, 40 Chestnut Ridge Road, Montvale, NJ 07645, or Immaculate Heart Academy, 500 Van Emburgh Avenue, Washington Township, NJ 07676.