Margaret E. (Smith) Sweeney, 79

ASHBURNHAM - Margaret E. (Smith) Sweeney, 79, of 22 South Main St., Ashburnham, died Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2006, in Heywood Hospital after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Margaret was born in South Ashburnham on Dec. 18, 1926, daughter of the late Henry and Blanche (Hebert) Smith and lived here all of her life. She attended Worcester Trade School to study cooking.

For 12 years, Margaret could be seen at the Old Mill Restaurant in Westminster where she was head hostess. She also had worked at F. W. Lombard Co. and the former Red and White Mills, both in South Ashburnham.

She was a longtime communicant of St. Anne's Parish in South Ashburnham and was a member and Past President of the Forever Young Club. Perhaps she will be most remembered for her unfaltering dedication to the Thomas P. Sweeney Post 142 American Legion of Ashburnham, named after her son who was killed in action during the Vietnam war. She and her husband Fred were fixtures at the American Legion BINGO each Sunday evening for twenty-two years. Together, they ran the BINGO each week. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary as well, devoting 61 years of her life to the organization and at one time serving as its President. In addition to her duties at the American Legion, Margaret also enjoyed traveling, crafts, knitting and painting.

Margaret will be greatly missed by her beloved husband, Fernand "Fred" T. Sweeney, with whom she celebrated 61 years of marriage last May. She also leaves one son, Keith E. Sweeney and his wife Pam of Rindge, NH, one granddaughter, Kimberley B. Sweeney of Arlington, MA and many nephews and nieces. A Gold Star Mother, one son PFC Thomas P. Sweeney died March 31,1968 in the Republic of Vietnam. Another son, David Lee Sweeney died in 1946.