Margaret Mahoney

Margaret C. Mahoney, 80, of Hicksville, N.Y., passed away after an extended illness on Sunday, February 25th, 2018, at Northwell Hospital Plainview – the same facility where she worked in a variety of nursing roles for almost 40 years. She is survived by her devoted and loving children, Margaret M. Bergin (the late Charles), Mary C. Mahoney, Kathleen M. (James) Connor, Elizabeth M. Mahoney and William R. Mahoney; her beloved brother Robert (the late Linda); her adored grandchildren Daniel, Meghan and Erin Bergin; step-grandchildren Ellen (Chris) Westbrook and Jimmy (Jaimie Schock) Connor; step-great-grandson Jameson Westbrook; and nephews Robert (Kristen) White and Michael White.

Blessed with equal measures of intellect and compassion, Peggy, or “Mrs. Mahoney” – as she was known to many of her colleagues, devoted her working life in the service and care of others. Before retiring from what was then known as North Shore Plainview Hospital in 2006, she worked as a Registered Nurse, as well as in a variety of administration functions as a Nursing Supervisor (“RN-7”), as Infection Control Nurse, as Employee Health Nurse, and as an In-service Supervisor. In addition, she administered thousands of flu shots at the hospital’s annual health fair; ran the hospital’s Stroke Club; and conducted hundreds of “Teddy Bear Clinics” at local schools, instructing children on the correct method of hand-washing as the first line of defense in preventing the spread of germs and diseases. She was a certified Infection Control Practitioner, and was a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC).

Born Margaret Catherine White on August 16th, 1937 in Queens, N.Y., Peggy was the oldest of twin girls born to Margaret A. Underhill, a secretary who worked for many years with A La Carte airport catering service (at what was then known as Idlewild, now JFK Airport), and Robert J. White, a serial entrepreneur who worked at various times as a stockbroker, a bartender, and a driver for Rheingold Brewery (in addition to multiple self-owned businesses). Although her sister died shortly after birth, the White family was complete when she was joined a year later by an adored brother, Robert. Peggy was a fiercely protective older sister, unafraid to take on any neighborhood bullies who dared to pick on her baby brother. A natural caregiver, Peggy helped her mother with household chores, learning at an early age to cook, sew, and crochet – talents she would continue to put to use throughout her life. A gifted student from the start, Peggy excelled in her studies, earning a scholarship to Bishop McDonell Memorial High School in Brooklyn, winning awards for perfect attendance. She exhibited a particular affinity for science, and dreamed of becoming a brain surgeon. Due to the limited opportunities available to women at the time, Peggy was encouraged to pursue a nursing career instead, if she expected to have a family.

It was a decision she never regretted. Receiving a N.Y. State Regents Scholarship for Nursing, she enrolled at the Mary Immaculate Hospital School of Nursing in Jamaica, N.Y., receiving her cap in 1956, and graduating in 1958. She remained at Mary Immaculate to launch her professional career, coaching and tending to new mothers as a Delivery Room Nurse. During this time, she was set up on a blind date with a police officer from the 103rd Precinct in Jamaica, William D. Mahoney. According to Peggy, she knew after their first date that they would marry – which they did, on July 30th, 1960. Though their marriage would end in divorce after 30 years, it led to her fulfilling her dream of becoming a mother. A supremely dedicated professional and disciplined multi-tasker, her first-born, Margaret, arrived less than an hour after she clocked out from a 3-11 shift at the hospital. Three other daughters followed in quick succession, along with a son several years later.

After the birth of their second daughter, Mary, the Mahoney family moved to Long Island, settling in the town of Hicksville, N.Y. As their family grew with the births of Kathy, Betsy, and Will, “Mrs. Mahoney” found a job at Syosset Hospital, where she worked for several years, before landing a nursing position at what was then known as Central General Hospital. Peggy quickly earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues, and especially her patients, due to her unparalleled work ethic, her nursing skill, her fearlessness in standing up to doctors when she knew they were wrong, and her limitless amount of empathy for those in her care. She rarely called in sick, and was the first to volunteer to cover for others on scheduled days off, including during multiple snow storms and blizzards when the hospital was short-staffed – even when it required her to walk nearly three miles to the hospital in driving wind and snow. Her children, when visiting the hospital, would almost always hear variations of the same refrain – “Mrs. Mahoney is your mother? Oh, I love Mrs. Mahoney! Mrs. Mahoney is the nicest lady. Mrs. Mahoney is such a good woman. I really love Mrs. Mahoney.” It is a sentiment that was continually repeated to her children during her employment at Central General, and continued even a decade after her retirement, during her final hospital stay.

Peggy constantly strove to find balance with her professional and personal lives, which was no easy feat, in light of the fact that she gave her absolute all to each. As a mother, she was without compare – providing unconditional love, support, and encouragement to her children, guiding them to give their very best, while instilling in them her values of kindness and service to others, the importance of family, and of her beliefs in her Christian faith. Peggy was entirely selfless, taking on Private Duty nursing jobs in addition to her full-time work at Central General, working seven days a week without a break for more than seven years, in order to support her family and provide her children with a private education. Peggy was constantly available to her children, putting their needs first, and always making it abundantly clear how very much they were loved. From their early years through adulthood, Peggy would stand in the front window and wave goodbye when they left the house, blowing kisses and miming hugs until after they were well out of sight.

Her gifts as a nurse were frequently put to good use in her own family, caring for her children through both minor and major illnesses, broken bones, and assorted scrapes and personal challenges. In later years, she nursed both her parents through their final illnesses – working a full day at the hospital, traveling to their home to care for each of them throughout the night, and returning to her own home to check on her family, before heading back to the hospital for another full day’s work. An active member of her community, Peggy also often served as a nurse “on call” when any neighbors or friends fell ill, rushing to their side to offer her expert medical attention and limitless supply of compassion.

Peggy placed great value on education – constantly looking for opportunities to enhance her own knowledge, while also displaying a strong sense of responsibility to use her personal nursing experience to guide the development of future generations of nurses. A product of the three-year nursing school model, Peggy willingly went back to school to earn her bachelor’s degree when nursing licensing requirements were revised, all while working full-time. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from St. Joseph’s College in 1985, earning Dean’s List honors, and continued her studies to pursue a Masters in Healthcare Administration at C.W. Post College. Peggy also served as a mentor to countless nursing students, tutoring and encouraging them as they prepared for the rigorous board exams, earning a high success rate. Her skills as a teacher were perhaps best evidenced in her own children, with whom she spent endless hours assisting with homework, studying for tests, and creating award-winning science fair projects. Peggy was both coach, cheerleader, and #1 fan for her children’s educational pursuits, even going as far as taking an evening college course with one of her daughters, to ensure she would pass the class (and naturally, they both did!).

A life-long Catholic, and parishioner of St. Ignatius Loyola, Peggy believed in the sanctity of human life, and was the embodiment of Christian values of humility, kindness and generosity, frequently advocating for those less fortunate. For several years running, she was one of the top fundraisers on Long Island for the annual March of Dimes campaign, winning numerous NY Islanders hockey sticks as prizes, which she would then gift or donate to others. She was beautiful inside and out, had the biggest heart, and was always considerate of others, often showing appreciation for her colleagues by bringing in trays of bagels for breakfast, or by offering to wait on line early in the morning before stores opened, in order to secure the latest hard-to-get holiday gift. During her time as Employee Health Nurse, she became known for always having lollipops and other sweets on hand (which she purchased with her own money), as a treat to help ease any possible discomfort from PPD tests administered during employee physicals.

Over the years, as Central General changed ownership and went through multiple organizational changes, Peggy remained dedicated to her career – showing a willingness to take on any role requested of her, even returning to a demanding 11-7 shift -- while still balancing her other daytime obligations at the hospital, before finally retiring at the age of 69.

During her retirement, Peggy enjoyed her new-found leisure time reading, attending Andrea Bocelli concerts, and spending more time with her family, including her doted-upon grandchildren. She especially loved the holidays and milestone birthdays, which were usually celebrated with her favorite “Surf & Turf” meal of steak and lobster, followed by vanilla ice cream for dessert (and sometimes started with a virgin pina colada, if she was feeling particularly festive).

In recent years, as her health began to decline, Peggy continued to show fierce strength and determination, and continuously shocked her doctors with her ability to battle back from numerous, serious illnesses, despite the insurmountable odds. Her life was no doubt extended in her final months as she received particularly loving care from her devoted daughter, Mary, along with assistance from trusted and valued home health aides, especially Althea Mackenzie and Esho Gunraj. She lived and died on her own terms, and fought bravely to the end, with her children and brother at her side.

Visitation at Vernon C. Wagner Funeral Home, 125 W. Old Country Road, Hicksville on Thursday, March 1st and Friday, March 2nd from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, March 3rd at 11 AM at St. Ignatius Loyola R.C. Church, 129 S. Broadway, Hicksville. Interment at Pinelawn Memorial Park, Farmingdale.