Margaret H. McKenna

(1926-January 6, 2010)

Margaret Harris Hanks McKenna, Potsdam. She has earned her seat in heaven! Margaret Harris Hanks McKenna died peacefully in her sleep on January 6, 2010(Little Christmas, the Epiphany) at the loving home of her daughter and son-in-law's in LaGrange.

 

Friends and family admired her for her positive attitude and courageous fight with cancer. She had adoring respect for her warm and brilliant doctor, Dr. Agolioti, who always told her she was "a wonderful woman." Through his compassionate and competent care and the grace of God, she enjoyed six months of quality time with family and friends, sharing love, humor, and smiles every day. Friends believed tha she "was the essence of the human spirit."

 

She was born in Potsdam, the daughter of the late William Eugene and Mary Angela "Angie" Harris. She was one of five children and was predeceased by her oldest and youngest sisters, respectively, Elinor Harris DeLaire and Mary Harris Frost.

 

She is survived by her brothers, William E. Harris, formerly of Potsdam, and now residing in Ormond Beach, FL, and George J. Harris of Norfolk; and her son and daughter, who have been blessed with her loving, giving, devoted motherly spirit, Russell Hanks and wife, Ivonne, of Albany, and Rebecca Hanks Lancaster and her husband Craig Lancaster (who treasured Peg) of LaGrange.

 

Margaret "Peg" graduated from Norwood High School in 1944. She earned her teaching degree at Potsdam St. Teachers' college in 1948, and taught elementary school in the Rochester area from 1948 through her retirement in 1984. Residing in Ontario, NY for 50 years, she had taught kindergarten at Wayne Central in the mid 50's and fondly remembered many of her students, who were peers of her own two children.

 

Her students too remember her with such quotes as, "she treated all of her students with respect and an unconditional love that made all of us want not only to succeed, but to excel." She and her late husband, Edward McKenna, traveled with the Ontario September Club, Xerox Pioneers, and Elderhostel to places such as San Antonio, Nashville, New Orleans, and Nova Scotia.

 

She was a prayerful woman who said the Rosary daily and was a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Ontario, NY until 2007 when she moved to the Fountains Seniors' community in Millbrook, NY to be closer to her family. She then joined St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Millbrook, NY.

 

Margaret's love for her family was the highlight of her life. She owned the family cottage on the North Shore of Lake Bonaparte in Harrisville, for almost 40 years, just around the bay from the cottage of her cousin, Rick Bush, and wife, Ellen.

 

She became the family matriarch, hosting family reunions and bringing her immediate family together for many summer weekends, capturing all in family photos, and becoming the family historian as well!

 

She cherished her two granddaughters, Nicole Hanks and Erika Hanks and they adored her. She literally lived for them, as she rallied for a Christmas celebration with them, joyously and humorously participating only three days before her passing. Afterwards she said, "this was the best Christmas I've ever had." She used to say, "You should leave the party while you're still having fun." And that's just what she did.

 

She also leaves behind many loved nieces and nephews, especially "Butterfly," "Spider," and "Posy," and many friends.

 

Her good sense of humor prevailed through her illness. When the nurses couldn't get blood to come from the veins in her arm, she said, "the bar is closed."

 

Her favorite saying: "Regret looks back, Worry looks around, Faith looks up!" Margaret had a great love, and compassion for others. She was "proud to be an American," highly respected our veterans, and believed intensely in family.

 

There will be no calling hours. A mass of Christian burial and internment in the family plot in Norwood, will be arranged in the late Spring, at the convenience of the family.

 

Donations may be made in her memory and honor to Homes for Our Troops, 6 Main Street, Taunton, MA 02780 (www.homesforourtroops.org)

 

(From the on-line North Country Now website @ http://northcountrynow.com)