Margaret Fawkner

1923 – 2012

Amherst, Margaret Mary Byrne Fawkner died on Thursday, July 26 at AmherstCenter for Extended Care at the age of 89.She had resided in South Amherst since 1953.

Mrs Fawkner was born in Utica, NY, January 21, 1923. Her father was Dr. James Whitefield Byrne and her mother was Mary Claire Macaulay Byrne. Margaret outlived her two older brothers, Dr. James Whitefield Byrne Jr., and Dr. John Macauley Byrne.

Mrs Fawkner graduated from New York State College for Teachers in 1944 and later taught for a short time at SyracuseUniversity. She married Navy Lt. Charles Hibbard Fawkner from Olive Bridge, NY, in Utica, in December 1945, at the end of World War II. When the war was over Mr and Mrs Fawkner settled in Springfield, MA, where Mr Fawkner, a chemical engineer, became a lifelong employee of Monsanto until his retirement. When Mr Fawkner left the Navy after serving in Korea, the family came to South Amherst in 1953.

She had four children, Charles Roosa Fawkner,of Northboro, MA, Mary Byrne Chase of Melrose, MA, Katherine Elinor Bowes of Mexico  City, and James Whitefield Fawkner, now deceased. She also is survived by nine grandchildren.

Mrs Fawkner, known as Margo to family and friends, grew up with a voracious appetite for reading about anything and everything. In addition to that her real passions were her TR3, her favourite pets, Molly, Gormy and Moxy and travel, especially Italy. On land and at sea she always enjoyed a new adventure be it a transatlantic voyage, in the Caribbean or in Buzzard´s Bay in the family sloop; she always enjoyed a great day at sea.

She was always a good sport on a road trip, around the British Isles, along the coast of Italy or up and down the pyramids of Mexico. Later in life, after her husband passed away in 1995, that spirit of adventure never left her, even when it was someone else’s adventure. She was always satisfied to leave her kitchen for    Sewing Circle, or a drive around to enjoy the Amherst Autumn leaves or spring colors. She was never bored. Mrs Fawkner was always ready to engage her curious mind. Her children and grandchildren knew her to always be interested in where their studies and careers might take them and she will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral services will be Monday July 30^th, 9:00 AM from the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St Brigid’s Church. Burial will follow in South Amherst Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Sunday July 29^th from 3 – 5 PM at the Douglass Funeral Service. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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