Margaret Mary Wisniewski Parfitt passed away peacefully at home June 7, 2018, surrounded by love after a valiant battle with cancer. “Margie” was born on October 18, 1936 in Pleasant Hills Pennsylvania to Leo Wisniewski and Helen Theresa Emerick. She was the eldest sister of Leo, Helen Theresa, Joanie and Sophie .
Margie was a sweet, intelligent and thoughtful daughter, sister and friend growing up. She enjoyed summers at her Grandmother’s farm in Greensburg, PA with her great aunts and uncles and cousins. There she developed a love and appreciation of nature, which she passed on to her children and grandchildren.
Margie graduated from Homestead High School a National Merit Scholar and an accomplished flautist. She married the love her of life Chester Parfitt and they soon began the adventure of raising a large family. Margie had too much love to give for just five children.
In 1981, she and Chester accepted in to their home three children from Viet Nam whom she loved and taught the language and the customs of a new land. Margie was a loving mother to all of her children. She never tired of being the “go to” house for the neighborhood children.
It was not unusual to wake up to one of her many “adopted kids” sleeping on the couch, a safe harbor when needed. She was chef and hostess extraordinaire, celebrating birthdays and holidays with largess and flair always leaving a space at the table for an extra guest. Margie’s intellectual curiosity and love of culture and faraway lands always inspired her throughout her life.
She never obtained a formal teaching degree but her avid reading and boundless creativity led to doctoral levels instruction in her home. She deeply embraced her Catholic faith in both word and deed, volunteering countless hours at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church and School in Middletown, NY.
She embraced everyone regardless of beliefs, ability or lifestyle well before it became popular to do so. She embraced the individuality of all of her children, grandchildren and eventually great-grandchildren and helped to foster a strong sense and love of self. She embodied the belief that individual differences are what make people special and the little things in life should be appreciated.
Her legacy is her eight children, fifteen grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and so many countless others whose lives she touched with her love. Margie is survived by her baby sister Sophie Penney (Art), children Mark (Judy), Cynthia, Keith (Maureen), Kirk (Tory), Beth Anne (Phil), Huong (Bao), Khanh (Lien), Ngoc (Loan). Her grandchildren Brian (Julie), Andrew, Meaghen (Micah), Jamie (Dexter), Terrie (Eric), Joshua, Caleb, Philip IV, Claire, Mia, Jennifer, Jamie, Alex and Andrew.
Great grandchildren Lindsay, Maddie, Calvin, Albert, Edison, Trevor, Kate and Jane Birdie. The family would like to thank the angels of Grane Hospice, Carol, April and Deb for their loving care and support with Margaret throughout her illness. The family will receive visitors at Copeland Sewickley Funeral Home,702 Beaver St. on Sunday; June 10, 2018 from 3PM -7PM.
On Tuesday June 12, 2018 prayers will be recited at 9:30AM at the Funeral Home followed by a 10AM Mass of Christian Burial in St. James Catholic Church with Father James Farnan Officiating.
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