Obituary of Margaret M. McCaw

The matriarch of our family, Margaret Mae Riley (Coonrod) McCaw, 87, of Morrisonville, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 23, 2022, at the UVM Health Network – CVPH, Plattsburgh with her loving family by her side. She was born in Willsboro on February 14, 1935, the daughter of Michael and Luella (Booth) Riley. Mom was a beautiful, vivacious woman who had a smile for all she met. She worked very hard as a waitress at many local eateries to raise four spirited daughters, making sure we had the best life in challenging times. Her family was the light of her life, and she provided all of us with utmost love, care, and support. For years, she would host lavish celebrations for each person's birthday, complete with one of her signature (and delicious) scratch cakes. Margaret “Gram” was absolutely the best grandmother in the universe. From making sure everyone was supplied with perfect chocolate chip cookies to throwing lavish Christmas parties, complete with a Gingerbread House Contest, which her grandchildren have continued to this day. You never knew what fun you might have at Gram's house! You might beat Gram at Uno or go to the Village Meat Market to get scratch-off lottery tickets! Mom had an artist's vision. Her homes were always decorated beautifully, and her gardens were the perfect mix of blooms. She sewed clothing for us and our Barbies, crocheted Barbie wedding gowns, and continued to create heartfelt gifts well into her final days. For several years, she would create gingerbread house masterpieces. One year, she created the White House, in amazing detail, and it was beautifully displayed at the Willsboro Library for the Christmas season. Mom was an avid bird watcher, lovingly feeding them and watching them year after year. She followed tennis, especially Martina, Federer and Rafa, even though she really didn't know how the scoring worked! Left to cherish her memory are her four daughters: Dianne (Toby) Ahrent, Sue Coonrod, Michelle LaDuke, and Laurie (Mike) Malek. Precious grandchildren: Lacey Ahrent, Riley (Candace) Ahrent, Rosie (Jediah Porter) DeLise, and Tim (Siyi Xu) DeLise, Emily (Arthur Turlak) Coonrod, and Jack Malek. Sweet great-grandchildren: Emma Sprano, Leonardo and Liam DeLise, and Charlie Porter. Nephew, Robert Soper. And by her loyal friend and caring neighbor, Carol Frasier. In addition to her parents she was predeceased by her sister, Dorothy Riley Soper, her nephew, Michael Soper, and her son-in-law, Dan LaDuke. The family would like to thank Mary McCaffrey at Art LeFevre Apartments and the staff at Champlain Valley Senior Community for making Mom feel so welcome. Our heartfelt appreciation and thanks go out to Dr. Desmangles, Dr. Palma, Dr. Fedi, and their office staff and to the staff at CVPH Emergency Room, R5, Dr. Xing, and ICU for the excellent care they gave our Mom. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of donations or flowers in memory of our loving Mom, do a kind deed for someone else. One of Mom's favorite things to do was to surprise someone with a home baked pie or cookies or a handmade gift. She even dressed as Santa Claus to deliver gifts to children in need. Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru, 643-9055.