Margaret "Peggy" C. (Driscoll) Holland

Margaret “Peggy” Holland (née Driscoll), born on July 10th, 1935 in Dorchester, was the seventh of eleven children in a close-knit Irish family. When she was still a baby, her parents returned to Ireland, bringing her back to their roots in Skibbereen, County Cork, on the family farm known as TownView. 

Peggy began school a year early, alongside her older sister Mary, and from a young age displayed a remarkable gift for memory. Many of us would marvel at her ability to recite facts, dates, and stories with striking clarity, recalling vivid details of her childhood right up to her final days.

After graduating with honors in Ireland, Peggy returned to America to reunite with her older siblings in Dorchester. She began working for an insurance company and later for the MBTA. 

It was in Dorchester that she met Michael Holland, from Baltimore, Ireland.  Together, Peggy and Mike created a beautiful life rooted in faith, perseverance, and devotion to family. They raised nine children while building their family business, Holland Construction, from the ground up. Peggy was Mike’s steady partner in every sense: supporting the business, managing a bustling household, and ensuring that each of their children was guided through school and supported as they launched their respective paths in life.

Her work did not end there. Peggy poured the same energy and love into her 28 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.  She set an example of servitude by making big roast dinners. Her grandkids will tell you: no one ever left her table hungry. 

Later in life, Peggy found well deserved respite at her home on the Cape, where she enjoyed golfing, and taking long walks. She cherished time with her extended family, especially her sisters Mary, Kathy, and Ann, maintaining the bonds that had anchored her since childhood.

Peggy’s life was marked by unwavering faith, resilience, a sharp mind, and a warmth that drew people in. Then, of course, there was her signature Irish brown bread. Her secret recipe has been shared, but no one makes it quite the same.

Margaret “Peggy” Holland is survived by her devoted husband, Mike, of Hanover; her children: Maureen and Tom O’Brien of Hanover; Michael and Ann Marie Holland of Hanover; John and Maureen Holland of Braintree; Michelle and John Kelly of Weymouth; Ann Cipullo of Weymouth; Paul and Maureen Holland of Braintree; Joe and Michelle Holland of Braintree; Elizabeth and Michael Lievi of Norwell; and Brian and Kerri Holland of Milton. She also leaves behind 28 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and two more on the way.

Peggy’s life has been a gift to all those around her. She leaves behind not only a large and loving family, but a legacy of faith, perseverance, and deep Irish roots that will endure for generations.

Visiting hours will be held at the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home 326 Granite Ave Milton MA 02186 on Friday March 6 from 4:00-7:00. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday March 7 at St. Gregory Church Dorchester at 10:00am. Burial will follow at Milton Cemetery. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Margaret "Peggy" C. (Driscoll) Holland, please visit our floral store.