Margaret George

Margaret J. George

Ithaca, NY – Margaret Johnston George, age 98, left this world peacefully, attended by her grandson and other local family, at her residence in Kendal at Ithaca on September 6, 2020. She was beloved by a large extended family and many dear friends.  She had been living at Kendal since 2008, having moved from her home in Plandome, Long Island, New York after being widowed in 1996.

She was a member of First Congregational Church of Ithaca, and, while living in Plandome, Long Island, a longtime member of The Congregational Church of Manhasset, Long Island, New York.

Margaret (along with her twin brother, Bob) was born on October 20, 1921, in Manhattan, NY. Their father, Robert Johnston, from County Cavan, Ireland, died when they were 10.  Their mother, Jane Ardis Johnston, from County Armagh, Northern Ireland, U.K., fell ill after her husband’s death, and Margaret and Bob were kindly taken in by their mother’s brother and his wife for a few years while their mother recovered.  Margaret and Bob were a close team, having shared years of subway commuting from the Bronx, where they now lived, to grammar and high schools in Manhattan.  Bob married during WWII and served with the U.S. Navy at sea.  Margaret cared for her mother until her death in 1949.  Before Bob’s early death of cancer in 1953, Margaret had become the benevolent aunt of his three young boys.

Margaret obtained a BA from Hunter College, New York, majoring in statistics. Upon graduation in 1941, she started work at Home Life Insurance Company, located on lower Broadway across from City Hall.  She had a bird’s eye view of all the ticker tape parades and the persons who were given keys to the City of NY over the many years she worked there.  Her advancement was rapid.  Looking back at her career, she mused, “The computer really changed the position of women at work.  Many began the move to bump that glass ceiling.”  At the time of her retirement, over 50 years later, Margaret was the Manager of the Policy Change Division, the largest division in the company’s home office.   Her interest in history led her to take 30 credits of the subject at Columbia University when she had the time to do so.

Margaret married widower, Albert R. George, in 1958, and gained a stepson, Al George, and a stepdaughter, Justine George, and a growing number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren over the ensuing years. Albert was a Wall Street estate and tax lawyer.  Margaret and Al settled in Plandome, Long Island, NY, a short commute by train to their respective jobs in Manhattan.  Together they shared a love of Broadway theatre, the New York Philharmonic, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art, an occasional NY Yankee game in box seats; and they traveled throughout the US, Canada, and Europe.  All of their relatives enjoyed being hosted royally by Margaret and Albert in Plandome; and also getting a personal tour of New York City.

Additionally, Margaret and Albert enjoyed frequent trips to Oshkosh, Wisconsin to visit Justine and her husband, Paul Fowler, and their four children (Diane, Lauren, Janet, and Jon) on the Fowler farm; to Yamhill, Oregon to visit grandson, Albert Frederick Xthona and his wife, Christine, and their three children (Tabit, Drafin, and Perrin); and to visit Al George and his then wife, Carol, at Kendal at Ithaca, which is how Margaret came to find her new home in 2008, some years after the death of her dear husband, Albert, in 1996.

Margaret was a woman who never lost her zest for life and openness to new experiences. She read The New York Times from cover to cover every day; and enjoyed doing the crossword.  She was one of those born New York drivers who could navigate traffic in Manhattan without qualms and give cab drivers a run for their money.  Margaret was a great Scrabble player and was fiercely competitive with her husband over the many years they enjoyed playing together.  After retirement, she loved to lunch in Manhattan with her group of Home Life friends before seeing a matinee on Broadway.  She enjoyed watching the U.S. Open tennis matches, whether on TV or from the stands.  Margaret was a great walker and continued until almost the very end of her life.

In addition to her Ithaca family: Al George (Judith Van Allen), grandson, David George (Su George) and their children Maya and Hannah,  granddaughter, Amy George Ekdahl and her children, Zaccary and Evelyn Ekdahl; Margaret is survived by her three nephews, Robert, Mark (Susan), and  David (Nan); a great-niece, Margaret Jane;  two first cousins once removed, Anne and William Simpson;  grandchildren: Diane Fowler (Robert) Scott; Lauren Fowler (Tom) Malensek;  Jon Fowler (Melissa);  Albert Frederick George Xthona (Christine);  great-grandchildren: Vince and Evan Dahl; Hunter, Gunnar, and Gage Malensek; Peyton and Hudson Fowler; Tabit, Drafin, and Perrin Xthona; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Margaret had a special relationship with each of these family members. She will be remembered fondly by all as the unique individual she was.  Margaret always made you feel like you were the most important person in her life.  She had an abundance of love to share with each of us.

The family is deeply grateful to the kind, caring, and compassionate staff at Kendal, and to Margaret’s many resident friends there, especially Bettie Lee Yerka, each of whom made Margaret’s life at Kendal such a pleasant one.

Margaret was laid to her final rest on September 11 beside her husband, Albert, at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Maspeth, Long Island, NY.

Should you wish to make a contribution in her memory, Margaret’s favorite charities were The Hunter College Foundation, New York, NY and Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Elmira, NY.

A memorial service celebrating Margaret’s life will be held by the family at a future date.