Saratoga Springs - On January 31, 2024, Margaret Erickson Prough passed away peacefully in her Geyser Crest home with family by her side. She had quite the welcome in heaven with her parents John J. LaBoda, Sr. (1904-1993) and Margaret Dougherty LaBoda (1908-1999), siblings Jackie LaBoda (1939-1939) and Thomas A. LaBoda (1947-1965), step-son Ken Prough (1959-2010), and husband James Robert Prough (1934-2009).

Margaret / Peg / Pejee / Big Ma was born in Middletown, New York on March 28, 1943, and is survived by her sister, Renee Rosch Lewis; brother, John J. LaBoda, Jr.; sister-in-law, Katherine Dorsey LaBoda; brother, David V. LaBoda; cousin, Mary Ann Klemm; and first husband, Jon Erickson.

She was a loving matriarch to the Erickson clan, including her three boys, Jon, Matthew, and David; daughters-in-law, Pat, Mandy, and Kate; grandchildren, Louis, Jon, Nico, Cody, Marten, and Sarah; and great grandchild, Zoey. When she married her soul mate Bob Prough in 2000, the family grew to include Michael, Tiffany, Zidane, and Maddex Prough, and Michelle, Tom, and Maddy Harkness.

Margaret's heart had room for family and so much more. She spent a life surrounded by the love of cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless pre-schoolers as a teacher at Beagle School. As the neighborhood Mom, her adventurous spirit was legendary. Her many friends knew her as skier, bowler, golfer, switchboard lady, hospice volunteer, and world traveler to all 7 continents. She completed her bachelor's in education at Skidmore College and, like her mother Margaret, dedicated her life to teaching, raising a family, and caring for any and all in need. Peg spent the final few years of her life in the loving care of the family's angels, Debbie and Freedom King.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 noon on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 167 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa, NY, followed by a celebration of her extraordinary life in Saratoga Springs.

Her family suggests donations in her memory be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Franklin St., Saratoga Springs, or The Beagle School, 115 Regent St. Saratoga Springs, NY.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Home of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-5373.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.