Obituary of Margaret Ellen McGinley

Our beautiful mother, Margaret Ellen McGinley, earned her angel wings and took flight on September 30, 2024, surrounded by her family.  Mom was born on April 21, 1942, in Brooklyn, NY.  She was preceded in death by her beautiful mother, Thelma K. Lees in 1990, and her beloved, long time doggy companion, Pringles, in October, 2023. 

Mom loved her family, old movies, reading and crocheting. She was willing to teach anyone who had the desire to learn to crochet and, sometimes, even if you didn’t have the desire!  Mom worked for Homer Elementary School as a Teaching Assistant for 15 years supporting and loving many children before retiring in 2005.

Mom is survived by her five children, James (Rebecca) Mulvihill, Robert (Marge) Mulvihill, Mary-Ellen (John) O’Brien, Susan (Tom) McCoy and Christina (Nick) Petragnani.  Mom was Gramma, Granny, Mags or Gaga to 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren and she was loved dearly by her very special grandson, Matthew, and her dear friends Dani Dugan and her three children, Carol Healy, and Carlotta Perrigo.

We would like to thank the most amazing caregivers who helped Mom in her journey; Deborah at Cortland County Mental Health, the care teams at Upstate Cancer Center and Upstate Hospital, including Dr. Madhira and his team, Dr. Li and Barb, Priscilla, Fatah, Val and Lynne on 6K, and finally, the incredible staff at Francis House.  We sincerely thank you for the care and kindness you showed our mom.

It was Mom’s wish for no services.  There will be a celebration of her life at a later date.  If you wish, donations can be made in Mom’s name to Francis House, 108 Michaels Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13208, the Tompkins County SPCA, 1640 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.