Margaret A Mackenzie

Margaret “Peggy” Mackenzie (nee Atkinson), age 83, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2025 at her home in Brandywine Assisted Living in Moorestown, NJ. Devoted mother of Allison Heller (John) and Tamah Freni (Jason), cherished grandmother to Joshua, Seth, and Brooke Freni. Survived by her first husband, Frank Rush, and predeceased in 2021 by her second husband Murdo James “Jim” Mackenzie and brother Stacy Atkinson (Barbara). Also survived by sister Karen Lamb (Jeffrey) and brother David Atkinson (Mary), and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Born in Mt. Holly, NJ on April 17, 1941 to the late Elizabeth Atkinson (nee Harding) and Stacy Atkinson, Peggy attended Mt. Holly High School (now Rancocas Valley Regional High School) and graduated with a BS from Temple University in 1963, followed by a certificate in cytology in 1964. She worked most of her career as a cytotechnologist in the lab at Mt. Holly (Virtua) Hospital, and later at Zurbrugg Hospital (Virtua) in Willingboro. In her younger years, Peggy played the piano and enjoyed needlepoint, counted-cross-stitch, sewing, and quilting. Peggy was constantly reading and learning. She loved all things nature and was a longtime member of the Burlington County Natural Sciences Club where she spent several years as an officer. An avid birdwatcher, “Piney Peg” could be found studying nature and hiking in the Pine Barrens, at the Jersey shore, or in the Poconos. She was an avid gardener and became a Master Gardener for the State of North Carolina after she remarried. She had numerous butterfly gardens and worked tirelessly to make her yards in NJ and NC natural habitats for all of God’s creatures. Peggy loved the Christian faith and studying the Bible, and was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Holly, until moving to NC where she was a member of Merriman Methodist Church and later Morehead City Presbyterian Church. Since her return to NJ, she had been a member of Red Lion Faith Chapel. Relatives and friends may gather at Perinchief Chapels 438 High St. in Mt. Holly on Tuesday, February 11 from 9-10 am. Service at 10:00 am. Interment to follow at Mt. Holly Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Peggy’s memory may be made to NJ Audubon Society https://njaudubon.org/donate/ , Operation Smile https://www.operationsmile.org/?form=FUNHTDNWRYT , or Red Lion Faith Chapel https://redlionfaithchapel.net/

Margaret A Mackenzie

April 17, 1941 - February 6, 2025