Margaret Christy

Margaret (“Maggie”) Wackerle Christy, 95, was reunited with her husband in the afterlife on October 1, 2015. She was born in Liverpool, NY, and lived most of her life in Westvale, NY. She graduated from Liverpool High School in 1937, and graduated cum laude in 1941, and earned her M.S. degree in 1944, from Syracuse University. She taught Public Speaking, Debate and Interpretation at Syracuse University in the 1940s, until she “retired” to work full-time as a wife and mother, the vocations of which she was most proud. Maggie and William (“Phil”) Christy fell in love in the spring of 1937. On September 1, 1940, they eloped to Vermont to be married secretly. On April 26, 1941, they were married again in the Presbyterian Church in Liverpool, NY. When Maggie converted to Catholicism in 1948, the couple received the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Although her Adirondack-born-and-raised husband often lovingly called her a “Fifth Avenue Camper,” she easily came to share his love of Raquette Lake and Old Forge and spent over sixty summers there. Maggie was an avid golfer, and a former member of the Syracuse Women’s District Golf Association, and the Skaneateles Country Club and Thendara Golf Club 18-hole Ladies’ Leagues. Her short game, especially, was impeccable. Maggie was a Certified Duplicate Bridge Director and member of the Western Hills Duplicate Bridge Club, where she served as its Director for over thirty years. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority (Omicron Chapter) and was the former president of both its House Corporation Board and Alumnae Association. Maggie was also an avid gardener and a member of the Onondaga Garden Club. Maggie was a former Room Mother, Den Mother and Girl Scout Leader. She was a former communicant of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Syracuse and a communicant of St. Bartholomew’s Church, Old Forge, NY. As a young woman, Maggie was thrilled to have the honor, as a member of the “Phyl-Lo-Mar” trio, to sing with Gordon MacRae on the radio. She was also proud to say that she served on the committee that started and named Westhill Central School. She was ever faithful to the Lord and to her beloved husband, and was a devoted, and cherished, mother and grandmother. Maggie is survived by her children, Karen (Robert) Kottmeier of Parker, CO, Daniel (Debra) Christy of Cazenovia, NY; Joan Christy (Thomas Bersani) of Skaneateles, NY and Nancy Christy of East Syracuse, NY; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, including a special niece, Mary Cappelli, and special cousin, David Wackerle. Maggie was predeceased by her husband of 74 years, Phil, who died on August 5, 2015, sons Thomas and William, grandsons Daniel B. Christy and Michael Mason, a sister, Helen Grell and numerous beloved cats, especially her cherished Persian cat, Mandy. Although all of her loved ones will miss her terribly, they are comforted that she is now reunited with her love of 78 years and with all of her family and friends who predeceased her. Calling hours will be held at the Dimbleby Funeral Home, Fern Ave., Old Forge, NY on Thursday, October 8, 2015 from 4-7 p.m. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Old Forge, NY on Friday, October 9, 2015 at 1:00 p.m.. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Old Forge, NY, immediately following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Old Forge Fire Department, the Raquette Lake Volunteer Fire Department, or an animal shelter of your choosing.