Margaret McCue Gribbin

An Indomitable

Irish Spirit

Margaret “Peggy” McCue Gribbin, 87, a former resident of Heritage Village, Southbury, and Ewing, N.J., died February 3, at Danbury Hospital, with her daughter and sons-in-law at her side. She was the widow of the late Thomas J. Gribbin. Born May 4, 1924, and raised in the Trenton and Ewing area, she was the daughter of Rose (Getzinger) and Edward McCue.

Mrs Gribbin is survived by her daughter, Roseanne Gribbin Loring and husband James of Newtown; son-in-law Arthur Romano of Kent; three grandsons; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her daughter, Diane (Dayna) Gribbin Romano.

Mrs Gribbin became a business teacher, and joined the faculty of Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, N.J., in 1959. She eventually became the chair of the business department.

In the spring of 1986, she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a life changing illness that curtailed her teaching career. Notre Dame High School meant the world to her and the feeling was mutual. A Peg Gribbin Marathon Volleyball Tournament was begun with proceeds benefiting her medical expenses. Once it became clear she would no longer return to her beloved teaching, she retired in 1989. Her reputation as a consummate business professional lived on.

On March 25, 2000, she was inducted into the Notre Dame High School Hall of Fame. The honor is bestowed for outstanding contributions to Notre Dame High School. She traveled to New Jersey and, despite her infirmity, walked to the podium to accept her award, and was greeted by a several minute standing ovation. Through to her final year or so, she still heard from former students who were grateful for the example she had set for them.

The Gribbons moved to Southbury in 1992 to be near family. Following her husband’s death in 1996, Mrs Gribbin continued to live in her Southbury condo until November of 2010, when she moved to Bethel Health Care. The family is grateful to the wonderful caregivers and staff who made her last 15 months so happy.

Mrs Gribbin was a parishioner of St Rose of Lima Parish in Newtown. Despite her struggles, she never faltered in her faith.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Rose Church, at 11 am, Saturday, February 11. There are no calling hours and burial will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Notre Dame High School, 601 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 or at www.ndnj.org, or to Bethel Health Care, 13 Parklawn Drive, Bethel CT 06801.

Honan Funeral Home, Newtown, is serving the family.

The Newtown Bee        February 10, 2012