Obituary of Margaret A. MacKenzie

Margaret Hall MacKenzie, 1928-2010 VOORHEESVILLE - Margaret "Margie" MacKenzie was born on March 5th, 1928 in McClure, Virginia, to Frank and Anna Hall. Living in a remote logging camp in the midst of the Smoky Mountains, Margie developed a life-long reverence for the beauty of the natural world. She particularly loved mountains and fresh flowers. After graduating from high school as valedictorian of her class, Margie's family moved to Stoney Fork, Kentucky. It was here that she met Duncan MacKenzie, a handsome salesman whose territory included the community store where she worked. Their courtship required a ride of 20 miles over dirt roads inspiring many family stories. Duncan and Margie were married on December 16, 1950. They were devoted to each other for the remainder of their lives. Duncan predeceased Margie in 2006. Shortly after their marriage, Duncan and Margie entered into the Methodist ministry. While Duncan acted as pastor, Margie shared her warmth and grace with each church they served. During their ministry they served nine church families in Kentucky, Connecticut and New York. When they retired, the MacKenzies split their time between a home close to family in the mountains in Greenville, New York, and a home close to the ocean in Largo, Florida. They celebrated each day of more than 20 years of retirement together. In her spare time Margie enjoyed cooking, gardening, walking, reading and in her later years, crossword puzzles. She found her greatest pleasure in the role of wife, mother and grandmother. She adored her family and they in turn treasured her. The depth of her love and caring was truly an inspiration. Margie died on December 5th, attended by her family, after a long illness. Throughout many difficult days she continued to be courageous and loving. No finer woman was ever born. Margie had one sister, Eloise (Mrs. Arnold) Wiseman of Johnson City, Tennessee. Duncan and Margie had three children. The John and Kathy McAneny family includes John and Sarah Motta and their children Jack, Caleb and Anna; Jared and Emma McAneny and their children Harrison and Avary; and Joshua and Lara McAneny and their son Isaac. The Wesley and Karen MacKenzie family includes Jonathan, Carrie and William MacKenzie and Emily Giordano. The Tom and Peggy Pensack family includes Mickey, Alek and Myah Lenkiewicz, Michael and Erica Pensack, Casey and Derek Roslonek, and Chris and Rylee Pensack. A memorial service will be held at the Greenville Norton Hill United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 11th, at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the The Fisher House, a "home away from home" for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. Fisher House Foundation, Inc., 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20850-5168. www.fisherhouse.org. Arrangements by A.J. Cunningham Funeral Homes, Inc., Greenville. Light a candle at ajcunninghamfh.com.