Margaret Rita Porr Toms

Margaret Pasquarella Porr Toms passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on April 6, 2026. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 14, 1928, the fourth of five children of Saverio Pasquarella and Philomena Ventura Pasquarella. She graduated from John Bartram High School and attended Temple before working in the Office of the Registrar at The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science (now the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy). It was there that she met a student who would become her first husband, John Wolf Porr, Jr. The two would remain married for 47 years. Shortly after her marriage to John, she left her family and her job in the Office of the President at the College to join her husband in his hometown of Steelton. Peggy worked at the Pennsylvania Department of Education in Harrisburg from then until she gave birth to her first child in 1956.

Peggy remained at home with her three children until 1967 when she began work at the New Day School located at the Executive House on Second Street where she worked with children who had learning differences. Several years later she joined the Capital Area Intermediate Unit as a paraprofessional and retired from there in 1994. Her various assignments took her to schools in the capital area. Her last assignment was in the Child Psychiatry Unit at the Hershey Medical Center. She found her work there to be most fulfilling, and she made many good friends with whom she stayed connected through the years.

Peggy grieved deeply the death of John in 1996. Little did she know that soon another love would enter her life. Capt. James E. Toms (USN Retired) was introduced to Peggy through mutual friends. The two married in 1998 just two days before leaving to live in South Africa for six months so that Jim could teach at Fort Hare University. This trip was the first of many exciting journeys the two would take throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Jim wanted to show Peggy the entire world but was denied that pleasure when he passed away in 2007.

A woman of great resilience and energy, Peggy again worked through her grief by staying active and involved. Her varied volunteer work included work at Downtown Daily Bread, a soup kitchen through Jim's church, Silver Spring Presbyterian, St. Theresa's Church, Peggy's parish for over 67 years, the Depot Women's Club, Habitat for Humanity, Sacred Heart School in Lancaster and Lancaster Catholic High School where her grandchildren attended school. She was also a member of the Mechanicsburg Navy Officer's Club, the Army Navy Club in Washington, DC, Capital Area Military Officers Association (MOAA), Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (Cumberland County Chapter).

Peggy was a lifetime fan of music and dancing. She was always coaxing someone to the dance floor. She also loved to travel both to new places and to the old and familiar sites. She loved to visit her old neighborhood in South Philadelphia and to spend time with family in Adams County. Her favorite thing of all though was to spend time with her children and grandchildren.

Peggy was the last of her siblings. She was predeceased by her parents and her sisters Frances D'Aversa, Irene D'Flavia, Dorothy Pasquarella and a brother, Theodore Pasquarella as well as her son, Robert Spencer Porr, whose loss she felt deeply. She is survived by her children, Linda Porr Sweeney, wife of Joseph V. Sweeney, of Lancaster, Carolyn Porr Richmond, wife of M. Scott Richmond, of Deale, Maryland as well as stepsons Cameron Toms husband of Rose Toms of Maryland and Barton Toms husband of Julie Toms of Glen Mills, PA. She also leaves behind grandchildren, Margaret M. Sweeney, Joseph V. Sweeney III and John Porr Bradley Sweeney, Jonathan Toms, Michael Toms, her great-grandson John Patrick Bullock, nephews, and a niece.

Because of her zest for life, her generous spirit, kindness, and loyalty she will be missed greatly by her family and her many friends who span several generations. One of the last things she said was that she wanted her friends to know that she said goodbye.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Gentiva Hospice for their exceptional care during Peggy's final days. Brian's visits always lifted her spirits; Pastor Scott brought her peace and Lindsay's gentle and expert nursing helped ease her at the end.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Theresa of the Infant Jesus Church, 1300 Bridge Street, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania at 11:00 am on April 17, 2026. Visitation will be from 9am until 10:30 am at Parthemore Funeral Home, 1303 Bridge Street, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to her beloved St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus Parish or Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors.