Margaret E. Macintyre

Margaret Elizabeth (Ryan) MacIntyre, age 97, of Longview, Ithaca NY, died January 16, 2015, in the Hospicare residence after a brief illness. She led a life of nearly 98 years filled with compassion for others, accomplishments and a willingness to try new things.

Margaret was born on the family farm in the Town of Lebanon, Madison County NY on April 15, 1917. After graduation from Hamilton High School, she received her teaching degree from Miss Wheelock’s School in Boston and commenced a 35 year career as an elementary school teacher, later earning a B. S. degree from SUNY Cortland N.Y. She followed her husband in his Army travels until he was sent overseas; she then settled in Hamilton for the duration of World War II. After the war the couple moved to Trumansburg NY where she taught in the Trumansburg Central School, initiated team teaching in her elementary grade and was regarded as an outstanding and dedicated professional by her principal of many years, Mr. John Bourdon. After Margaret and Duncan retired, they moved to Longview, Ithaca, where he later died and she lived until her recent death.

Margaret led a rich life. She was a talented thespian, acting in Gilbert & Sullivan plays, a gifted gardener who grew and enjoyed bonsai for many years, and a Certified Aquatic Program Leader for the Arthritis Foundation for over 25 years. After moving to Longview, she developed their water aerobics class. Music was important to her and she played the piano and organ for many years, serving as the organist for the Longview Chapel services. She became a computer user at 85 and enjoyed the benefits of the internet.

Family was very important and she delighted in her family as it grew with her daughters’ marriages and three grandchildren. She valued maintaining a close contact with her siblings and their extended families as well as with Duncan’s family.

In addition to her husband, Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Timothy Ryan and Florence (Olcott)(Eaton) Ryan, half-sister Ruth (Eaton) Harris and her brother Richard J. Ryan. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Steven (Elizabeth) Hawley, Raleigh NC; Mrs. Rachel Wright, Sebring, Florida; one sister Mrs. Mary Louise (Ryan) Austin, Oneonta, NY, three grandchildren, five great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She will be buried next to her husband in the MacIntyre plot in the Eaton Village Cemetery, Eaton NY. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.