SOUTHBURY - Margaret “Peggy” (Webbe) Tester, age 89, died peacefully on Thursday, March 5, 2020 at her home in Southbury. She is survived by her partner of 50 years, Homer Bennett Jr.
Peggy was born in 1930 in Corning, NY, daughter of the late Charles and Eve (Meison) Webbe. The family moved to Waterbury, CT and this is where Peggy put down roots and made life-long friends. She attended Crosby High School, class of 1948, then went to Endicott College, graduating with an Associate Degree in Merchandising.
Always giving thanks to her father for his push, Peggy worked at Southern New England Telephone starting her career in 1952 as a service representative, leaving to raise her children in 1957, and then returning in 1970, building a successful and award-winning career as a senior account executive in marketing. She retired in 1987 after a 22-year career in the telephone service industry.
During this same time, in 1956, after her marriage to Ed Tester, they moved to Prospect where she helped run the Bow N Arrow Club with her husband. They moved to Southbury in 1965 where they built and managed the Colonial Club (most recently, the former Colonial Tavern) in Oxford. Peggy was a mainstay at the Club and served as Hostess for all the years of ownership.
Her family was very important to her. After a divorce, and as a single mother, Peggy fearlessly raised her three children, teaching them to be independent by serving as an important role model for them. She encouraged self-reliance in all aspects of their lives. While she worked hard, she created special moments each summer for family and friends to gather in Quonnie, RI to enjoy all that beach life brings.
She and Homer enjoyed their many years together traveling often to the Poconos in PA and Singer Island in Florida. They enjoyed an active life, wintering in Florida in their later years, hosting family parties and enjoying the companionship of their many neighbors. They celebrated 50 years together this month, March 2020.
She was dedicated to her faith and was most recently a member of the North Congregational Church in Woodbury, CT. She believed in maintaining a positive attitude and surrounded herself with uplifting words and messages like, “everything happens for a reason” and steadily reminded her family of these words. Peggy also understood the need to give back to her community. She volunteered for many organizations over the years. Her volunteer work included the Waterbury Hospital, Meals on Wheels, the Leever Cancer Center, and her local PEO chapter. At the Leever Center she was known for her loving spirit, was the inaugural welcome ambassador, and combed area thrift stores so she could have a steady inventory of small stuffed animals and beanie babies to hand out to those in need of a smile. She always knew which one they might need.
She is survived by her sister Alice Johnson, of PA; her three children, Kim Tester (Brian Duda) of Roxbury, CT; Kathy Luria of Woodbury, CT; and James Tester (April) of Wellington, FL; her step-daughters Margaret Tester Mancano of FL; Tina Tester Lalonde (Paul) of MA; her grandchildren, Jamie Tester of FL; Jason Luria (Shelby) of FL; Justin Tester of FL; her step-grandchildren, Autumn Casey of PA and Colin Casey of FL; And Homer’s children, Kevin Bennett (Alicia) and their children, Nathan and Luke all of Southbury; Jay Bennett of Southbury; her extended Bennett family; her nieces, nephews, and several cousins spread out across the country.
Besides her parents, Peggy was most recently predeceased by her brother-in-law Robert Johnson, and her aunt Marge (Webbe) Bain who was 104 years old.
The family would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to the team of Hospice nurses and support staff who guided us all on this important journey. Many important lessons learned.
A MEMORIAL SERVICE THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2020, AT NORTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN WOODBURY, WILL BE POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE. UPDATED SERVICE INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED HERE ONCE CONFIRMED. There are no calling hours and the burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Peggy’s name may be made to the White Oak Cemetery c/o Ben Stiles, 1127 Main St. North in Southbury, to assist in upkeep; North Congregational Church, Woodbury; or the Hospice location of your choice. For directions, or to leave a message of remembrance, please visit www.CarpinoCares.com.
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