Margaret “Peggy” H. Twitchell, 98, at Birchwood Nursing Home in Burlington, Vt., died peacefully in her sleep after a long bout of Alzheimer’s on February 24, 2026, at 8:23 a.m.
Peggy was born and raised in Bristol, Conn. She was named Viola, but her brother did not like the name Viola and called her Margaret. She has been known as Margaret or Peg ever since. An English major, Peg went to school at the University of Vermont, where she met her future husband. At that time, she decided to attend nursing school, and once married, she moved to Boston, where her husband did his residency at Mass General.
Peg raised seven children; four have predeceased her (Robert, Joann, John and Michael), along with her husband (Dr. John C. Twitchell). She is survived by her sons Tom (and Leslie) of Burlington and Stephen (and Tracie) in Seattle; and her daughter Nancy (and Joe Macari) in Cranston, R.I.
At the age of 40, she quit smoking, joined Weight Watchers and took up tennis, which she played several times per week at the crack of dawn. She then worked for Weight Watchers as a lecturer and then a trainer for lectures. She was a member of the PTA, Klifa Club and “the Neighbors,” which was a dinner, theater and social club. Peg loved to sew, play piano and do needlepoint. Her artistic streak came out when she decorated the home for holidays or wrapped gifts. Accompanying her husband for medical conferences, Peg traveled extensively. In retirement, she traveled to China, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy and New Orleans.
She also spent time on Catalina Island and at Kripalu for spa and yoga retreats. She loved her garden and gardening and her two black cats, Spike and Spook. Peg belonged to the Unitarian Church in Burlington and did volunteer work with Meals on Wheels. She attempted to finish out the last few credits needed for a degree at UVM but was still raising her large family. It was too much along with her community service. A friend spoke to then-governor Tom Salmon, who waived those last credits because of her longtime commitments to the community. At 74, she received her BA from UVM.
She will always be remembered for her graciousness, wit, intelligence, resilience and spunk. She will be missed, but we’re glad she is now at peace. She was the best mother her children could have ever asked for. She wanted “Peg is dead” engraved on her tombstone. That’s Mom — she was a hoot.
A service will be held when the weather is warmer. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Vermont Humane Society or to Bayada Hospice in Vermont.
Arrangements are in the care of the Chittenden County Cremation Society, a division of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services. To send online condolences, please visit cremationsocietycc.com.