Close, Margaret Ann
Margaret Ann Close, 95, of Whitesboro, NY, entered into eternal life while at the home of her daughter, with her family by her side, on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2008, at 4:30 AM.
She was born on March 9, 1913, in Brookfield, NY. She was the daughter of Rowland and Sarah Price. Margaret graduated from Leonardsville High School and St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She married Paul Lockwood Close on November 15, 1937.
In her earlier years, prior to nursing, she spent considerable time working in the Adirondack Mountains where she later honeymooned with her husband, Paul. She was a registered nurse, working at various local hospitals, where she learned the skills of care which she used for those in need throughout her life. All those who knew Peg admired her compassionate demeanor.
She was the first registered nurse at Slocum Dickson Medical Group and the first nurse in Utica qualified to administer intravenous fluids (IVs) to patients. She continued her education at Syracuse University, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and a Master’s of Science Degree. She was the school nurse teacher at New Hartford Elementary School and retired from her professional career as a school nurse teacher in the Morrisville Eaton Central School District.
Margaret was the past president of Lucy Kellogg Relief Society and an active member of St. Luke’s Memorial Alumni Association and the New York State Teacher’s Retirement Association. She was a communicant of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Whitesboro.
Peg enjoyed her many friends with whom she spent countless hours playing contract bridge and golf. She loved her "weed free" flower garden and the home she tended until her illness. Her neighbors and friends were amazed at her "snow free" driveway that she shoveled by hand through the 2007-08 winter season. Peg was loved for her great sense of humor, her independence, her spirit, and her cooking and pie baking, all of which she was well-known for giving away unselfishly to others.
Peg will be dearly missed by her survivors: her daughter, with whom she recently lived, Nancy and husband, Daniel Caputo, Barneveld, NY, and her son, Jack and wife, Sheila Close, Palmyra, NY. She looked forward to and treasured the special times she spent with her six grandchildren, Lisa Caputo, Manhattan, NY, Daniel and Leigh Caputo, Granby, CT, Christopher and Laura Caputo, Burlington, VT, Rebecca and Dr. Robert Orendorf, Kennebunk, ME, Amanda Close, Palmyra, NY, and Aaron and Euhnee Close, Hackensack, NJ. She leaves her eleven great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Abbey Caputo, Lillian and Cal Caputo, Matteson, Maxwell, Emma and Katherine Orendorf, Mitchell and Mason Moon, and Megan Close.
She also leaves her sister, Sally Cadwell, New Berlin, NY, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She leaves her special friends, Connie Phillip and Douglas Holdridge.
The family is grateful to her caregiver, Sue Kells.
She was predeceased by her husband, Paul Lockwood Close; sisters, Susan and Martha; and brothers, Richard, Rowland (her twin), Russell, Robert, William and Joseph.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, November 13, from 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon at Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral Homes, 40 Main St., Whitesboro. Funeral services will be held at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 130 Mappa Ave., Barneveld, at 1:00 PM the same day.
Remembrances in Peg’s name may be made to Hospice Care, Inc., or to MVCC Nursing Scholarship Fund. Envelopes will be available at the services.
Messages of Sympathy
My deepest sympathies go out to Peg's loved ones. Her last year as our school nurse at MECS, was my first year teaching there. Since that time we have kept in touch. She was the kindest, funniest person I knew. Peg will be dearly missed. May God bless her.
Posted by: Deborah Tornatore | November 13, 2008 03:14 PM