Margaret O’Leary Burnieika

Margaret “Peggy” O’Leary Burnieika of Cambridge died unexpectedly, but peacefully, at home on June 27. She was 58 years old. She is survived by her two loving daughters Sophia Mae Burnieika (of New York City) and Genevieve Grace Burnieika (of Allston), and their father, Robert Burnieika. Peggy was the beloved sister of Kathy (Trainor), Barbara, Steve, Tim and the late Jimmy and Karen O’Leary. And she was cherished aunt to Jimmy, Becci, Danny, and Kate Trainor and Margaret Hennessy.

Peggy was born June 7, 1965 to James and Eileen (Jackman) O’Leary; she was the darling baby of seven siblings. She lived for most of her life on Norumbega Street in Cambridge, attended the Haggerty School and Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School. Peggy was a true extrovert, fascinated by human behavior, which led her to study psychology and sociology atUMass Boston (’88), with a fabulous year of study in Los Angeles at Cal State, Dominguez Hills. For years, Peggy worked supporting adults with disabilities in group homes. When she became a mother, she stayed at home with her young children.Peggy’s greatest joy in life came from seeing her daughters come into their own. In recent years, she found great purpose in providing in-home care to aging individuals.

Everywhere Peggy went, she made friends with ease – her exuberance and warmth were magnetic. Her brilliant smile was infectious. Peggy was unfailingly generous with whatever she had to give and was quick to express gratitude for the kindness others showed her. Her gentle soul and open heart made her a friend to turn to in times of heartache. She saw the good in everyone and made everyone feel seen for who they were. To top it all off, she was a diehard Bruins fan.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to visit in the Brown & Hickey Funeral Home, 36 Trapelo Rd., Belmont, on Wednesday July 5th from 4:00- 7:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held in Saint Peter’s Parish, 100 Concord Ave, Cambridge, MA, on Thursday, July 6th at 10:00 AM followed by a gathering at the VFW in Cambridge, 688 Huron Ave, Cambridge, MA. Interment will be private.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Peggy’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital  501 St. Jude Place • Memphis, TN 38105 (stjude.org) 

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