Margaret Frances Granger Obituary

Peg Granger has gone to eternity, setting forth from the home that sheltered her these past 55 years, attended by her loving grateful children. Her devoted husband, Alfred Granger passed in 1992. Her parents, Maryann Smyth & Peter Madden, had never crossed paths until joining the Irish diaspora that settled in New York in the early 1900's. Both hailed from farming villages of Coolpora & Lismany, County Galway. Peggy Madden was the second of five children, invested with dutiful responsibility, exemplifying the immigrant Irish Catholic standards of education and achievement, was an esteemed graduate of the College of New Rochelle (1939). Her studies were math and physics, but her career path in the late 40's took her to the noisy haste of Manhattan as lexicographer/editor, compiling the first Random House paperback dictionary, as well as the widely used Thorndike Barnhart volume that would appear 15 years later in the grade school desks of her six children. While visiting her sister in Denver, she had taken a job as journalist at the Denver Catholic Register, when a co-worker, Alfred Granger, became her fate and her beloved. He worked as reporter and editor on newspaper, radio and television across Colorado from Sterling to Grand Junction to Colorado Springs. Along with motherhood, Peg continued her career work as research editor with Loretto Heights College and Grolier Publishing Company. She became Mother to six lucky ones who survive her: Mary Jo Penny, Pine Junction, Colorado; Peter Granger, Cheyenne Canyon; Tony Granger, Kona, Hawaii; Kathleen Granger, Dunlap, Iowa; Luke Granger, Malibu, California; Donovan Granger, Fairbanks, Alaska. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and her sister Eleanor Suntum of Takoma Park, Maryland. Per Peg's specific wishes, her body has been donated to science and research. Margaret Granger was unfailingly gracious, kind, and generous to all, and finished more than 95 years in a state of grace. Heaven welcomes her. "Every human encounter is an eternal responsibility." Blaise Pascal Memorials may be made in her name to: Mesa House c/o Stephen Handen, 420 Mesa Road, Colo. Spgs., CO 80905. A reception to celebrate Peg's life will be held at Julie Penrose Parish Hall, St. Pauls Church, 9 El Pomar Road, Broadmoor, Colorado Springs on Sunday, March 3 from 11:30 to 1:30. All are welcome.