SMYRNA – Margaret A. Reese, 95, a lifetime resident of Smyrna, Earlville and Sherburne, died Jan. 11, 2008, at Iroquois Nursing Home in Jamesville.
Born July 27, 1912 at the family home in Smyrna, she was the daughter of Franklin and Beatrice Barber Sweet. Margaret grew up in Smyrna, graduating from Smyrna School in 1929. In her early adult life, she operated the Smyrna telephone switchboard, played piano for the silent movies shown at the Smyrna Opera House and in the summer helped feed meals to the hop-pickers at the Coye farm on Quaker Hill.
On Nov. 14, 1936 Margaret married William C, “Doc” Reese. They lived in Norwich when Doc worked for Dr. Quinn and then moved to the Reese family farm near Earlville. Margaret and Doc worked together running the farm and the veterinary practice. Describing her as a homemaker doesn’t reflect her life. How she balanced being Doc’s receptionist/assistant/driver and being a mother to six very active children amazed everyone who met her. She always found time to provide food, transportation and support to her children and their many friends.
In addition to her life as a wife and mother, Margaret held many positions in organizations including Matron in the Sherburne Tianderah Order of Eastern Star (OES) during her 68 years of membership and Regent during her 57-year membership in the James Madison Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). As a member of the Methodist Church since age 12, involvement in church activities was an important part other life.
Her children said, “Between Dad’s vet business, our activities and her own activities, she lived a full, busy and somewhat chaotic life.”
Margaret is survived by her children: William (Cliff) Reese Jr. and wife Marie of Syracuse, David Reese of Liverpool, Mary Easton of Walworth, Malcolm Reese and wife Fran of Cary, N.C., Elizabeth (Betty) Hertz and husband Richard of Anchorage, Alaska, and Richard Reese and wife Mary Ellen of Walworth. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Scott Reese (Lisa), Michael Reese (Terri); Teresa McCrain (Tim), Andrew Easton (Elizabeth Davnie), Melissa Reese, Matthew Reese, Jack Hertz and Lisa Reese White.
Margaret is also survived by ten great-grandchildren and two great-great grandsons, her brother Harold Sweet of Ithaca and her sister Helen Rowan Casscles of Michigan along with many nieces and nephews including the Rowan children. Survivors in her extended family include: Virginia Barrows, Bill and Josie Hodges, Aletta Koenig and Bill Davidson, Karen, Bob and Jed Parker and Kathy Izard and many friends from all generations.
Besides her husband “Doc” Reese, Margaret was predeceased by her brother Fred Sweet and her grandson Stuart Easton.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Sherburne United Methodist Church with Rev. George Gallandrom officiating. Interment will follow in the Sherburne West Hill Cemetery.
Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, Norwich, on Friday from noon to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and again on Saturday at the Sherburne Methodist Church from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Condolences may be sent to 48 East State Street, Sherburne NY 13460.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to one of the following: The Smyrna United Methodist Church, the Sherburne United Methodist Church, and Hospice of Central New York, 990 Seventh North Street, Liverpool NY 13088-6148 or to the charity of your choice.