Margaret A. (Callahan) Ducharme

West Springfield -Margaret Ann (Callahan) Ducharme, 82, died peacefully on Feb. 25 at Mercy Medical Center. She was the beloved daughter of Mary Catherine (Nally) and John J. Callahan of Dalton. Marge was predeceased by her husband, Robert in 2003. Her oldest daughter, Marykate Ducharme Sawyer, died of pancreatic cancer in 2007. She also was predeceased by her much-loved brothers, Frank and Jack Callahan. Marge is survived by two daughters: Maura Ducharme (Ethan Johnson) of Wauwatosa, WI, and Michelle Ducharme (Peter Powers) of W. Spfld, and her devoted sister, Sister Marita Callahan, SP of Holyoke. Marge was the loving Nana of Brigid and Matthew Sawyer, Eamon Johnson, and Nora Powers. A graduate of Dalton High School, Marge married Bob in 1954 and they lived briefly in Spokane, WA where he was assigned to Fairchild Air Force. Base. After putting him through college, Marge graduated as salutatorian from HJC (now HCC) in 1963. She subsequently spent seven years studying part-time to earn a B.A. in history from Westfield State College while raising her children. She also completed graduate courses in history and education at WSC and UMass Amherst. Marge worked as librarian at both Old and New Tatham schools. She started as a volunteer in 1975; then, in 1981, she co-pioneered a job share of the librarian position. Later, from 1987 to 1998, she was Tatham�s full-time librarian. In the summers, Marge volunteered at the West Springfield Public Library to assist with the youth department�s summer reading program. Connecting children with books and supporting literacy initiatives were among her priorities. For decades, Marge was a volunteer tutor working immigrants and adult learners. After retiring, she volunteered with young readers at her grandchildren�s school in Westfield and continued in that role until recently. Marge was elected as a Town Meeting Member from Precinct 5 in 1978 and served in that role until 2000. During the 1980s, she was a member of the West Springfield Public School System�s Curriculum Steering Committee. She also served on the Community Citizens� Curriculum Committee for 5 years, and was a member of the Basic Skills Committee. Marge was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. She taught CCD teacher on Monday afternoons for St. Thomas the Apostle Church. During her decade with the Tatham School PTO, she served as president, secretary, and treasurer; she often spoke of that great group of mothers and the fun they had. She also was active with Paucatuck Park for many years. Marge treasured family, common sense, and correct grammar. She could spell anything and find the humor in everything. She loved being a Callahan but managed to wear a French surname with �lan. Her hobby was sending cards and books to friends of all ages who lived all over the world. Marge�s Irish wit, hearty laugh, and far-reaching generosity will be deeply missed and long remembered. The funeral will be Saturday at 9 am from the Toomey-O�Brien Funeral Home, 1043 Westfield Street, W. Spfld, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Spfld. Burial at St. Thomas Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday from 3-6 pm at Toomey-O�Brien. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, New York 11714 or Providence Ministries, 51 Hamilton St, Holyoke, MA 01040.