Margaret "Peggy" Lazar

Margaret “Peggy” Lazar, of Keyport, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at Riverview Medical Center surrounded by her loving family on Friday, December 6, 2024. 

Peggy is remembered as a warm and loving wife, mother, and friend. She was often described as, “a truly special person” and touched the lives of everyone she encountered. She was born on April 29, 1949, in Jersey City, New Jersey, where she was raised and formed many life-long friendships with childhood peers. It’s also where she met her beloved husband, Richard.  Peggy and Richie were married on February 13, 1977, and began their life together.  In 1979, they settled in Keyport, New Jersey, where they remained to raise their family. 

Peggy was a thoughtful friend to everyone: fellow teachers from her nearly 40-year teaching career, neighbors in Keyport, and virtually any acquaintance who crossed her path. If you met Peggy at least once, chances are high that you have received a lifetime of birthday and Christmas cards from her—a tradition she maintained after her own mother, Florence, passed.

Peggy was predeceased by her father, Edward Bartley; her mother and step-father, Florence (Ciandella) Gallo and Lawrence Gallo; and her siblings, Robert Bartley, Elizabeth O’Donnell and Thomas Bartley. Despite these difficult losses she took special care to keep the family connected and bonded through regular get-togethers and parties. Peggy is survived by her beloved and devoted husband of 47 years, Richard (Richie) Lazar, her loving children, Vanessa Lazar of Providence, Rhode Island, and Jeremy Lazar and his significant other, Kathryn, of Keyport, New Jersey.

A selfless giver, Peggy served her community as a teacher and after retirement (in 2014) teaching CCD and volunteering for her church. She was a passionate educator (at one point winning Teacher of the Year) and ensured that her children as well as her many nieces and nephews were awash in books for every gift-giving occasion. If she had one regret about her teaching career it was her own children’s lackluster penmanship which paled in comparison to her own impeccable writing.

Peggy was arguably the most organized person on planet Earth. She was prepared for any and every situation, diligently balanced her checkbook weekly, and had a precise approach to everything from loading the dishwasher (rinsing is mandatory), to folding towels, to organizing utensils. She maintained her home to levels of neatness no one else could ever hope to attain. She was also frugal and thrifty, a regular Costco bulk-shopper, an avid gardener and houseplant enthusiast, and deeply devoted to her landline telephone.

Peggy loved to entertain whether hosting family for holidays—one of her final acts was hosting Thanksgiving—to regular boardgame dates with her fellow teachers, dinner parties with friends, or throwing elaborate themed birthday parties for her children (some may recall the notorious Bugs Bunny cake). She embraced seasonal décor with gusto and took great joy in redecorating the house and garden accordingly for the 4th of July, Halloween, and Christmas. She loved Christmas in particular, and would make dozens and dozens of cookies for family and friends. Her annual gift of Nuts and Bolts party mix was a holiday highlight for her entire family.

Family and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday morning, December 10, 2024, at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph/Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 376 Maple Place, Keyport, New Jersey 07735. Entombment will follow at Forest Green Park Cemetery Mausoleum, 535 Texas Road, Morganville, New Jersey 07751. Arrangements were entrusted to the Shore Point Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 3269 State Highway/Route 35 North, Hazlet, New Jersey 07730.   For information, directions, or to send condolences to the family, please visit, www.shorepointfh.com.

If you would like to honor Peggy we recommend you do one of her favorite activities: drink a cup of Lipton tea (only Lipton!), do a jigsaw puzzle, crotchet a blanket, play a game of Scrabble (gloat if you win), or watch a Hallmark Christmas movie. If you would like to make a memorial donation we suggest contributing to the Audubon Society, or Farm Sanctuary in tribute to her lifelong love of animals and plants.

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