Margaret R “Peggy” (Cardello) DeSantis, 76, of Danvers and formerly of Lynnfield, died Monday evening at the Massachusetts General Hospital with her family by her side following a brief illness. She was the devoted wife of Henry J. DeSantis with whom she shared fifty-three years of marriage.

Born in Roslindale, she was the daughter of the late Angelo and Antonia “Toni” (Ingegneri) Cardello. She was raised and educated in Boston. She later lived in Revere, and went on to live in Lynnfield for thirty-two years and has spent the past two years living in Danvers.

Peggy was self-employed as a hairdresser and eventually went into the convenient store and restaurant business with her husband Henry. They co-owned and operated convenient stores and eateries in Boston, Winthrop, Woburn, Lynn, Salem, York, ME and Durham, NH. Upon her retirement, Peggy continued working at Market Basket in the Market Kitchen in Reading.

Peggy loved cooking and baking not only in her restaurants, but for her family and dear friends. She was not only an amazing Mom to her children, but cared deeply for the countless people whom she welcomed into her home. She was happiest when surrounded by her family. She touched all those that had the privilege to meet her and was loved by so many.

In addition to her husband, Peggy is survived by her son Henry J DeSantis, Jr and wife Lauren of Watertown, her daughters, Laura and her husband Bruce Wood of Danvers, and Christina DeSantis of Beverly, her two sisters, Natalie Jones of Hull, and Rosemarie and her husband Thomas Shortt of Walpole, and her brother Joseph Cardello and his wife Janice of Bedford, NH. She is also survived by her beloved five grandchildren, Angelo, Matthew, and Grace DeSantis, and Charlie and Colton Wood, and by several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, June 21st from 4-8 pm at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St, Peabody. Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, June 22nd at 9:00 AM at the Conway funeral home followed by a mass at 10:00 AM at St Maria Goretti’s Church, Lynnfield to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Lynnfield immediately following the mass