Margaret was an accomplished chef and spent her career managing and cooking in restaurants, private clubs, and fraternities in Philadelphia, State College, and Weikert. A perpetual college student at heart, she particularly relished her time working at several Penn State fraternities, including Phi Kappa Sigma (Skull House) and Kappa Alpha.
Margaret never met a book she didn’t want to read, voraciously consuming everything from mystery-thrillers, to biographies, to scientific annals. She loved crossword puzzles and could do the New York Times Sunday Crossword in one sitting. Margaret was a naturalist, constantly observing and maintaining notes on the changing ecosystem around Penns Creek, where she spent much of her life, and was able to identify most of the flora and fauna in Union County. Throughout her life Margaret could be found with at least one faithful companion by her side, including several large Newfoundlands and an array of other dogs and cats over the years. Margaret felt strongly about rescuing animals to provide them with a home and second chance.
Margaret was always ready for a good adventure and looked forward to holidays and pinochle games with her family, trips in her RV with her friend Jeffrey, and visitations along Penns Creek with her many friends and neighbors. Even up until the end of her battle with cancer, her jovial demeanor shined through as she teased her family and friends.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Frank Van Devender, and her sisters, Isobel Wasowski and Susan Donald. Margaret is survived by her sister, Carol Furnas, three nephews, one niece, and two great-nieces
An informal celebration of Margaret’s life will be held on June 23, 2018 in Weikert, Pa. Additional details to follow via Facebook.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the West End Library, 45 Ballpark Road, Laurelton, PA 17835.
*Story courtesy of the Daily Item
