Margaret A. McBride: A life full of love and devotion ends at 93 years old

Margaret A. McBride: A life full of love and devotion ends at 93 years old

Margaret A. “Peggy” McBride, age 93, passed away on July 14, 2025 at The Inn at Ironwood. Born Margaret Ann Freisen on February 12, 1932 in Youngstown, Ohio, she was the daughter of Fred J. Freisen and Dorothy M. O'Brien Freisen. Peggy attended St. Dominic Grade School and graduated from Ursuline High School in 1950. It was during her school years that she started her professional career at the age of 16 as a saleswoman at McKelvey’s Department Store.

She worked at Ohio Bell Telephone for five years and then took time off to raise her four daughters. However, she returned to work in 1970 and served in various positions at Ohio Bell for 31 years, most recently in the engineering department, before retiring.

Family and legacy

Peggy is survived by her four daughters: Dorothy McBride, Karen (Bruce) Sekanick, Maureen (Dutch) Shaffer and Patty (Michael) DePaola. She was also the proud grandmother of 12 grandchildren and had 11 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. Surviving relatives include two sisters-in-law, Jean McBride and Betty Freisen, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and close friends such as Susan Jaminet, Martha McGowan and Julie Patterson. Her husband, James M. McBride, her son James “Ernie” McBride Jr., and brothers Fred “Fritz” and James Freisen had previously left her in death.

Both Jim and Peggy were passionate supporters of the University of Notre Dame, which shaped their lives together. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Boardman-Canfield Chapel, where a visitation will be held on July 21, 2025 from 4 to 6 p.m. Prayers will begin at 9 a.m. July 22, 2025 at the funeral home, followed by a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Dominic Catholic Parish.

Thanks and donations

In a moving note of thanks, the family noted they are grateful to the staff at The Inn at Ironwood and Patriot Hospice for their excellent care and support during Peggy's final days. Donations in Peggy’s memory may be made to the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley or to Notre Dame’s Basilica of the Sacred Heart Parish for a Mass.