Margaret Elizabeth (Meg) English, who taught English as a second language and civics for more than a decade among Everett’s immigrant community passed away on September 4, 2021.
More than 200 individuals were enrolled in the Everett Literacy Program, for whom Ms. English worked as a co-ordinator, and another 300 were on the program’s waiting list.
A resident of Saugus, Ms. English also worked for Everett’s Multicultural Affairs Commission in Everett, Tri-City Workforce Development Task Force, MIRA, and La Comunidad, Inc., all community organizations critical in the serving of the Everett immigrant community.
“I am interested in fixing our broken immigration system one step at a time,” Ms. English was fond of saying.
She loved and respected her students very much, advocated for them, and continued to seek justice for all people wherever she worked.
The students fondly called her “Teacher” and their, “Purple Angel”, returning her love and respect over and over.
Born on Nov. 17, 1950, and raised in Manomet, a community within the town Plymouth, Ms. English was one of 13 children of Mary L. and Lester V. English.
She attended Sacred Heart Elementary and High School in Kingston. A talented actor with a beautiful soprano voice, Ms. English excelled in school plays and within the Plymouth Players, a local theatrical group.
After a brief time at Emerson College, Ms. English lived in England and France for several years.
On returning to Boston, she enrolled at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, where she majored in literacy studies, gaining both her undergraduate and graduate degrees there.
At the same time, Ms. English became a passionate advocate for workers’ rights and over the years worked for organizations dedicated to assisting the homeless, abused women, and the gay community in Boston neighborhoods.
Those who worked with her or were her friends knew that Ms. English had a supremely caring nature and generous spirit, and tried to be of service wherever she was. A resident of Saugus, Ms. English leaves her husband, Artie Kennan, as well as sisters, Lee English of Grand Isle, Anne English of Tucson, Arizona; Miriam O’Neal of Plymouth; Jane Stiles of Plymouth; Colette Kraatz, of Gunison, Co.; Rosie English Sampson of Plymouth, and Kathleen English Plante, of Manomet; and brothers James English of Plymouth and Nicholas English of Surrey Hills, NSW, Australia.
She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and countless friends and associates. A memorial service for Ms. English will be held Monday, Sept. 13 at 9 a.m. at Cartmell-Davis Funeral Home, in Manomet.