Margaret I. "Peggy" (Travers) Tavares, 91, of New Bedford died May 31, 2025 at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Plymouth.

She was the wife of the late Cosme "Cossie" Tavares, retired captain of the New Bedford Fire Department. They were married for 44 years.

Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late William E. and Mary E. (Souza) Travers, she lived in New Bedford all of her life. She graduated from Bridgewater University with a BS in Education and worked as a fifth grade teacher in New Bedford.

She was a communicant of St. Julie Billiart Parish.

Mrs. Tavares was an avid volunteer at St. Luke's Hospital for many years.

She enjoyed sewing, reading, knitting, crocheting, and attending Buttonwood Seniors, Dartmouth Seniors and book club. She was a big fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. She always looked forward to her Kentucky Derby themed birthday parties.

She loved her family above all, kept everyone connected, well known as the head of the "Tavares News Network." Her time at Autumn Glen was much less than she had hoped but she had fun with new friends and activities while living there.

Survivors include her 5 children; Ann Margaret O'Connell and her husband Kevin of Plymouth, Mary Beth Foley and her husband Brian of Plymouth, Madeline Despres and her husband George of Walpole, Peter Tavares of Daphne AL and Christopher Tavares and his wife Michelle of Cold Water, MS; a sister, Madeline Hovland and her husband John of Berkley, CA, sister-in-law Diane Travers of New Bedford; 6 grandchildren, Chloe, Robert, Nicolette, Nicholas, Stephanie and Jeremy; and several nieces and nephews.

She was the sister of the late William E. Travers, Jr.

Her Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 6th at 9:30 AM in St. Julie Billiart Church. Visiting hours are omitted. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Julie Billiart Parish. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford.