Merwyn McTague

Merwyn Elizabeth McTague, 84, of Peterborough, NH passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at the Pheasant Wood Rehabilitation Center in Peterborough, NH.

She was born to the late Kenneth and Novella Murray in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada on August 31, 1937. She grew up in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada until she moved to the United States. Merwyn eventually became a Naturalized US citizen and had voted very proudly ever since.

She had attended high school at the Prince Arthur School and graduated in 1957. Following high school, Merwyn attended college at Holy Rosary Commercial, and the New Hampshire Technical Institute, obtaining associates degrees in bookkeeping and alcohol and drug counseling.

Merwyn had worked several jobs in her life, including answering phones for her father’s oil company when she was only 10 years old. She had also been a babysitter, a bank teller, a dental assistant, and a cashier, but none of these jobs were her calling. After earning her degrees, Merwyn became a group home supervisor in Antrim, and eventually became a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor in New Hampshire and Vermont, working with the Community Alcohol Information Program for 21 years. After her 50 devoted years of helping others, she retired in 2018 at the age of 81.

In 1958 she married the love of her life, Dr. Thomas Hugh McTague, and together they raised seven Children. Together they had lived in Antrim, Concord, Tucson, AZ, and in Peterborough. Merwyn never wanted anything more than to be a loving mother and wife. She left lasting lessons with her children, and she was able to pass on the skill of empathy to all of them. She had the softest hands and was always there to listen. She was proud to give the country 3 Veterans, because she herself wanted to enlist in the Navy after high school but was unable to due to a heart condition. She loved saltwater. And enjoyed the beauty of the color red.

Merwyn found great pleasure in the simple things. She found peace in gardening, flower arranging, furniture upholstery and baking for her family. She was a social butterfly. She would watch musicals, enjoying singing and dancing along with the cast. She loved the movies, and especially loved the tv show “Call the Midwife.” She had volunteered with the Girl Guides in Canada and helped with many other community services in the states of New Hampshire and Arizona. She was a vocalist in the choir as well as a CCD teacher at the former Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Bennington. She adored any animals she met, but her true favorite was her loving Cocker Spaniel, Teddy, who she was able to spend the last twelve years of her life with.

Merwyn is predeceased by her loving husband of 38 years, Dr. Thomas H. McTague, her daughter, Enola McTague, her son, Terry McTague, her parents Kenneth and Novella Murray, and her brother, Alden Everett Gray Murray.

Merwyn is survived by her daughter, Dorothy McTague of Peterborough, and by her sons; Kenneth McTague of Fairborn, OH, Michael McTague of San Francisco, CA, James McTague of Temple, NH, and Thomas McTague of Concord, NH, 7 Grandchildren, 6 Great Grandchildren, and many cousins.

In Lieu of flowers, remembrances can be sent to the Peterborough Food Pantry at 25 Elm Street, Peterborough NH, 03458.