Margaret Lucchese, 1936–2026, lifelong Waltham resident

Margaret B. “Peggy” (Bartleman) Lucchese, a lifelong resident of Waltham, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in the comfort and care of the staff at Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln. She was 89.

Born on Oct. 28, 1936 in Waltham, Peggy was the daughter of the late Louis Bartleman and Mary E. (Hilley) Bartleman. She was raised and educated in Waltham and remained a proud lifelong resident of the city, where she later raised her own family and built a life centered around love, family and community.

Peggy attended Saint Charles High School and began a career dedicated to caring for others. She worked as a Nurse’s Aide at Metropolitan State Hospital in Waltham and later at Waltham Hospital in the Labor and Delivery Department. She eventually retired from Prospect Hill Nursing Home, devoting her time fully to raising and caring for her family.

Peggy’s greatest joy in life was being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family was always first and foremost in her life, and everything revolved around them. She was known as an amazing cook who loved gathering family and friends around her table. Peggy also enjoyed traveling, especially the cherished trips she made to Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia to visit her daughter and spend time with family there.

Peggy was predeceased by her beloved husband, Rosario J. Lucchese in 1996; her loving son, Richard Davis; her cherished grandson Nicholas Davis; and her dear siblings, Judith Brown and Richard Bartleman.

She is survived by her devoted and loving children, Russell Davis of Leominster, Rhonda Norman of Dorchester, Susan MacMillan and her husband Stephen of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Ann Richard and her husband David of Waltham, and Rosario J. “Joe” Lucchese and his companion Maura Campbell. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Samantha Davis, Julia Davis, Laura Davis, Robert Davis, Stephanie Davis, Katelyn Norman, Shaun Norman, Jillian MacDonald, Evan MacMillan, Fallon MacMillan, Matthew Richard, Morgan Richard, Meghan Hopkins, Anthony Lucchese and Dante Lucchese; and her adoring great-grandchildren, Cole, Cade, Cora, Damon, Ariel, Madison, Patrick, Brianna, Aliyah, Aime, Luke, and Finn Angus.

Peggy is also survived by her dear siblings, Mary Cavanaugh of Waltham and Louis Bartleman and his wife Lim of Waltham, as well as her sister-in-law, Janet Lucchese of Medway, and many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members and close friends.

Family and friends gathered and celebrated Peggy’s life on Sunday, March 8.