Margaret Ann "Peggy" Lawless

Margaret Ann “Peggy” Lawless, age 90, of Dover, died Thursday, November 14, 2024, while in the care of her family and Ohio’s LifeCare Hospice. Peggy wished to remain in her home when she could no longer live independently. Collectively, her children and their spouses honored that wish. 

Born on February 14, 1934, in Dover, Peggy was the daughter of the late Harold “Bo” and Mildred “Tommy” (Lieser) Stien. She graduated from Dover High School in 1952, Peggy converted to Catholicism at the age of 19, and, on October 24, 1953, married the love of her life, Bernard J. “Barney” Lawless. The couple moved to Detroit while Barney finished school; they started their family there, and returned to Dover in 1957. Peggy and Barney had nine children and shared 60 years of marriage before his passing in 2013.

Peggy considered raising her children as her life’s biggest accomplishment; she instilled in them a strong sense of “the faith” which they have carried well into their adult lives. She stayed at home and was a devoted mother and homemaker while bringing up her children. Between the years of 1990 and 2004 Peggy owned and operated Softies on North Wooster Avenue in Dover. 

She was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Church in New Philadelphia. Peggy loved music, and she learned to play the piano at the age of 34 - and later the organ. She was an active member of Sacred Heart’s adult choir for many years. Peggy also had a love of reading. When her eyesight became diminished, her children read her the newspaper and helped her work crossword puzzles. Peggy was an avid fan of the Cleveland Browns and Guardians as well as Notre Dame. Her last worldly concern was the recent election, in which she voted absentee. Also, she thoroughly enjoyed a good margarita! 

Peggy is survived by her children, Barney (Linda) Lawless of Cincinnati, Earl (Sue) Lawless of Dover, David (Amy) Lawless of Uniontown, Mary Ellen (Kevin Newton) Lawless of Akron, Margaret (Raymond) Schembechler, of Massillon, Tim Lawless of Dover, Barbara (Ronald) Ross of New Philadelphia, Luke (Cathy) Lawless and Joseph (Sandy) Lawless, both also of Dover; her 22 grandchildren, Matt (Mishelle) Lawless, Christopher Lawless, Emily Lawless, Kathryn Lawless, Kate (Todd) Plake, Brian Lawless, Johnathon Lawless, Davey Lawless, Julia (Jesse) Maddy, Raymond Schembechler, Audrey (Adam) Demonte, Ethan (Emma) Lawless, Ronnie (Josie) Ross, Monica (Mike) Monfredi, Philip Ross, Regina (Caleb) Longgrear, Molly Lawless, Alex Lawless, Megan (Nick) Merrick, Joseph (Nina) Lawless, Mary Kate Lawless and Michael Lawless; her 28 great-grandchildren; and her many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

In addition to her parents and her beloved husband, Barney, her grandson, Bernard E. Lawless, and her five siblings preceded her in death. 

Family and friends may call at the Toland Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover on Sunday, November 17, 2 - 4:30 and 6 - 8:30 p.m. The Rosary will be prayed at 5:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, November 18, at 11 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church; Fr. Jeff Coning will officiate. Burial will be in St. Joseph Calvary Cemetery, Dover. Following the committal, a meal will be served in Sacred Heart’s Parish Hall.

Contributions in Peggy’s memory may be made to Ohio’s LifeCare Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Sacred Heart Church Altar Society, 139 Third St. N.E., both addresses at New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.