Obituary of Margaret A. Peg" McSweeney

Margaret A. "Peg" McSweeney, age 77, of Searlwyn Road, Syracuse, New York died Sunday, August 11, 2002 at Community General Hospital, Onondaga Hill, New York. Peg was born May 15, 1925 in Syracuse, New York, the daughter of Leo J. and Inez R. (Deans) Russell. She was the wife of James N. McSweeney who died in 1978. She owned and operated the Cubbyhole Tavern and the Valley Sandwich Stop. She served on the City of Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals for over ten years. She was the first woman to become a member of the South Side Businessmen?s Association and served later as its President. She was honored in 1983 as their "Business Person of the Year" and was awarded their Community Award in 1991. Peg was a founder and past president of Women United, Ltd. and was awarded their "Person of the Year" award in 2001. She also helped found The Onondaga Valley Association and currently served as President. She was a member of Valley Legion Post 1498 Auxilliary. She was active in Democratic Politics. She served on the Onondaga County Democratic Party's Executive and Finance Committees. In 1998, Peg was named "Democrat of the Year" by the Onondaga County Committee. She was founder and past president of the Valley Democratic Club and a Democratic Committewoman for the 14th Ward. She was instrumental in assisting many democratic officials to get elected. Peg lobbied the City of Syracuse to establish the Bob Cecile Center on Seneca Turnpike. After the Center opened, she solicited donations to furnish the Senior Center. She is survived by two children, a daughter, Susan J. McSweeney of Syracuse, New York and a son, Michael P. McSweeney of Niles, New York; two grandsons, Timothy J. and Kevin M. McSweeney and two nieces. Funeral: Wednesday, August 14, 2002, 10:30 a.m. at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, Inc., and 11:00 a.m. in St. James Church, 4845 S. Salina St., Syracuse where a Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated by Father Daniel J. O'Hara. Burial: Onondaga Valley Cemetery, 2500 Valley Drive, Syracuse, New York. Calling Hours: Tuesday, August 13, 2002, 2:00 - 4:00 and 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, Inc., 4612 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, New York, 13205. Contributions may be made to Peg McSweeney Scholarship Fund, Women United Ltd., PO Box 15103, Syracuse, New York, 13215.