Margaret V. Valday, of Bainbridge Island, died suddenly on Sept. 27 at Harrison Hospital in Bremerton. She was 78.

Margaret, known as Maggie to friends and Nunny to family, was born in Cambridge, Mass., on May 21, 1931. She pioneered for woman in the workplace as an electrical inspector, a typically male-driven occupation. In her 50s she began working in accounts payable for Hollingsworth and Vose in Walpole, Mass. After an 18-year romance, she married the love of her life, David Valday, on Nov. 12, 1983 in Norwood, Mass. Shortly after the marriage, David died of cancer.

In 2000 she made the journey to Bainbridge to be closer to family. While a lifetime New Englander, she loved the area and made countless friends while living at Virginia Villa Senior Apartments.

A lifelong advocate for the humane treatment of animals, she donated to the Jane Goodhall fund, Humane Society, Paws, Furrytale Farm and the Diane Fossey Institute. She was known for her zest for learning and life. She was a great friend, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda O’Neil; granddaughter Adina Ferguson; grandson-in-law Timothy Ferguson; and great-grandchildren Heather, Rebecca, Elizabeth and Peter Ferguson, all of Bainbridge.

A celebration of her life will be held at 4 p.m. Oct. 10 in the Virginia Villa community room.