Obituary of Margaret Mary Law

Margaret Law (Pearl to all that knew her), peacefully left this world to go to the Lord, her God, on March 11, 2024.  She was surrounded by family.  Her four legged, best friend Lucy, never left her side during her final hours. 

Born on September 30th, 1927 to Irish Immigrants, William and Eileen Moran (nee Collins), in Morristown, NJ, Pearl was an only child.  She adored her father and was the apple of his eye. 

Pearl spent her youth in Morristown and attended Bailey elementary and Bailey High School.  After high school she attended Berkley School and went on to work as a secretary for Ciba Pharmaceuticals, Morris Plains Borough, Weichert Realtors and Frelinghuysen Arboretum. 

She met the love of her life, Robert Law on a blind date (“he was gorgeous!”) They fell hard for each other and were quickly engaged, married and built a home and family in Morris Plains. She loved him dearly until his passing in 1998. Together, they raised 4 children, David, Karen, James and Mary. 

Her immediate family meant everything to her, but she also loved to be surrounded by in laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, hosting countless gatherings and organizing family get togethers.  Thanksgiving meant a packed house with Pearl at the helm, cooking, directing and just loving every minute of the laughter and warmth around her.  St. Patrick’s Day had the house at capacity for many years. She felt so blessed to become a grandmother and loved being involved in the lives of her 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.  Christina, Melissa, Kyle, Briana, Carolyn, Brian, Jake, Tyler and Crystal, were the loves of her life.  She always made time for them and their events. She made a point of knowing what was going on in their lives.  If a grandchild needed help with a school project, Grandma was the person to call. 

Pearl truly adored her Irish family abroad, visiting Ireland, as well as just taking great pride in her Irish heritage. Her cousins were more like siblings to her and they remained close to her all her life.  Passion for civic duties and her “energizer bunny”, “get things done” attitude made her a perfect fit for town committees.  Simply put, she just loved being a Morris Plains resident and being involved in town related events. From the ladies auxiliary to the planning board, to the beautification committee, if it could improve, enhance or care for her town, she wanted in. 

A reader, a traveler, a crafter and gardener, you could often find her in her green house among her plants, or making crafts to sell with her niece Patty.  Even during the last year of her life, she was planting pachysandra, and pruning bushes.  

Her pets were her loves as much as nature; and her dogs were an important part of her family always. Summing up a life is a challenge too great for anybody, much less a life that was lived to the fullest on a daily basis; as much as it was done by this force of nature that we called Mom, Grandma, Aunt Pearl, and Gigi.  Love is a legacy and priceless gift that you left us all mom, and for that we thank you.  

Pearl is survived by her four children, David Law and wife Christine Law, Karen McKenna and husband Jim McKenna, James Law and wife Beth Law, Mary Law and husband Keith Barton; her grandchildren, Christina, Melissa, Kyle, Carolyn and her husband Jim Gebel, Brian, Briana, Jake, Tyler and great grandchild, Crystal; as well as many cherished, nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends that were really family.

Family and friends are welcome to gather on Thursday, March 14, 2024 from 4-8pm at Dangler Funeral Home, 600 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains. A Funeral Mass for Pearl will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 10:00am at St. Virgil's Church, Morris Plains. Interment will follow at Holy Rood Cemetery, Morristown.