BEEKMANTOWN — Margaret T. Lavarnway, 89, formerly of Jersey Swamp Road, Morrisonville, died peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013, at Evergreen Valley Nursing Home in Plattsburgh, N.Y., with her family by her side. Born Sept. 28, 1923, she was the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Moriarty) Thornton in Beekmantown, NY.
Margaret spent most of her life in the Plattsburgh area graduating high school from St. John's Academy. She then graduated from Trinity College, Burlington, Vt. with a Master's Degree in Teaching and subsequently spent her work life dedicated to the education of young people. She taught business courses at Champlain High School for three years and retired from Beekmantown Central High School in 1982 after teaching Business for 26 years. After the death of her husband, she returned to substitute teach at Saranac High School and teach full time at Our Lady of Victory Secretarial School. When she decided to stop teaching on a full time basis, she volunteered in the Pre-K classroom at St. Alexander's School. She developed many lifelong friendships with her colleagues and students and had great satisfaction knowing she had helped others.
Margaret married the late Floyd A. Lavarnway on Sept. 18, 1950, at St. John's Church, Plattsburgh. They enjoyed raising their family, their small farm, traveling, and visiting at their home with family and friends. There was always a pot of coffee on the stove and an open door for friends to stop by for a while.
Margaret's great joy was her family and she is survived by four children and their spouses, Kevin and Mary Lavarnway of Schroon Lake, N.Y.; Brian and Donna Lavarnway of Beekmantown; Karen and Bob Newell of Beekmantown; and Laurie and David Lucia of West Chazy. Grandchildren Aimee and Adrian Holmes of Portland, Ore.; Michelle and Rich Hendrzak of Cape Coral, Fla.; Matt and Kylie Lavarnway of Odgensburg; Jamiee and John Bierman of Beekmantown; Mark Newell of Plattsburgh; Erin Newell of Boston, Mass.; Adam Lucia of Rutland, Vt.; and Nicholas Lucia of West Chazy; a great-grandson Jacob Lavarnway of Odgensburg; one beloved brother and his family, Walter and Theresa Thornton of Beekmantown and their daughter Tina and Allan Lefevre of Morrisonville.
Margaret was a woman of great faith and was a member of St. Joseph's Church in West Chazy. She enjoyed reading and working in her flower garden.
She was predeceased by her husband, Floyd; three brothers Jerry, Roswell, and George and one sister, Catherine, and a very special friend who was like a sister to her, Theresa Gowett.
There will be no public calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 at St. Joseph's Church in West Chazy. Burial will be in St. Alexander's Cemetery in Morrisonville in the spring.
The family would like to thank and acknowledge all of the staff of Evergreen Valley Nursing Home for the wonderful care and dignity provided to their mother. Also Donna Lawrence and Anna Peryea who were our angels in helping Mom stay at home as long as possible.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph's Church Memorial Fund or Evergreen Valley Nursing Home Activities Fund.
Online condolences may be made to www.rwwalkerfh.com
Arrangements are in the care of R. W. Walker Funeral Home, 69 Court Street, Plattsburgh, NY.
