A strong-willed and family-oriented woman

MELROSE — Margaret L. (Hayman) “Peg” Scott, 95, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully at Wakefield Center on Friday, January 21, 2022.

Born in Chelsea on March 31, 1926, she was the daughter of Scottish natives, the late James Hayman and Nellie (Macgregor) Hayman. Due to complications at birth, Margaret was born with limited vision. Beginning at the age of six, she boarded at Perkins School for the Blind. With a strong sense of purpose, she persevered and lived a full, rewarding life. After graduating from Perkins, she remained loyal and committed to her parents while serving as primary caregiver for her mother for several years. After caring for her mother, she completed post graduate courses at Hickox Secretarial School. She accepted a position as a switchboard operator at Perkins School, where she met a fellow Perkins graduate, Robert J. Scott, and fell in love. They were married on June 10, 1956 at St. Rose of Lima Church in Chelsea, and lived in Chelsea before settling in Melrose to raise a family. Peg was a strong-willed woman who took pride in providing a good, comfortable home for her husband and children.

Family was the bedrock of Peg’s life. Through her 95 years of life and generations of family events, she never missed a gathering or family party. With a wide selection of memorized nursery rhymes, she lovingly fulfilled the role of grandmother while supporting her young grandchildren with care.

In her free time, she enjoyed car rides with her sister Chriss and trips out for ice cream with friends and family. At home with Bob, she enjoyed daily walks (often to Friendly’s), many rounds of cards, and games of scrabble. She maintained strong connections to the Perkins School with alumni affairs and annual reunions.

Peg was a devoted and longtime parishioner of Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Wakefield. Later in life, she enjoyed membership in a social club for visually impaired adults at Project Triangle in Malden.

Most of all, family was the first and last priority in her life. She held her family’s roots in Scotland close to her heart. She was successful in being a supportive wife, always present mother, and caring grandmother. She will be deeply missed, but always remembered for her strength, determination, and commitment to family.

Peg was the beloved wife of the late Robert J. Scott with whom she shared 40 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Christine Carlson and her husband, Timothy, of Melrose; Robert “Joe” Scott of FL, and Janet Sacco of North Andover and her partner Stephen Dorrance. Cherished grandmother of Denise Carlson, Michael Carlson and his wife Whitney, Scott Carlson and his fiancée Krista Maffei, Peter Sacco, Gregory Sacco, and George Sacco. Loving great-grandmother of Reese and Will Carlson.

Relatives and friends were invited to gather during visiting hours at Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield on Wednesday, Jan. 26 from 10-11 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass celebrated in Margaret’s memory at 11 a.m. Interment in Main Street Cemetery, Rowley. Gifts in Peg’s memory may be made to the Fitch Home, 75 Lake Ave., Melrose MA 02176 www.fitchhome.org. For online tribute visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.