Margaret DiCara

How do you fit a life of 96 years into a few short paragraphs? Start at the beginning with a little Italian girl growing up in the Bronx, growing up with her cousins and sister, falling for the son of mutual friends, asking him to her prom, eventually marrying him, becoming Margie. Margie followed tradition, supported her husband as they navigated through the challenges of parenthood, which included riding shotgun on the tractor on the Pennsylvania farm, taking charge of the growing family as he worked nights, and finally enjoying the time they had for our family when he transitioned into his carpentry business.

Dozens of memories dot the long and rich life our mother shared with her family. Memories left behind of a woman who dedicated her life to caring for her family; husband Jack; daughters Rose, Johanna, Jacqueline, Margaret Anne and by extension their husbands Frank, Anthony, Tom, Willy; her grandchildren Mary Lou, Margaret Rose, Stephen, Michelle, Stephanie, Robert, Jonathan, Matthew, Krystyna, Peter, Andrew, Jack, Daniel, Isabel, Angela; grandchildren through marriage Eli, Serena, Adam, Wes, Kristen, Danny, Anais, Kylie, Valeria, John, Miguel; great-grandchildren Amelia, Anthony, Theo, Adam, Olivia, Abigail, Freyja, Thomas, Aurora, Vienna, Poppy, and Vera; sustain us through our precious loss.

As a young mother, she moved to her house on 68th Street and devoted her life to raising us, her four daughters, by cooking nutritious meals, keeping to a rigid daily and weekly schedule, spending nighttime hours making our clothing, cooking family specialties for holiday dinners, knowing how to stretch a dollar without letting on that money was short. Margie placed great importance on doing well in school by making sure our homework was done, attending our parent/teacher conferences, becoming active in the PTA, preparing us for our college educations.

Our mom remained in her house for 73 years and wished to remain in it until she passed away. To honor her wishes, we provided the resources necessary to grant her wish. While living on 68th Street, Margie made lifelong friends, Jean and Joe, Jean and Andy, Chris and Dom. Our families spent summer days at Coney Island, invited each other to neighborhood barbecues, celebrated New Years Eves together. Margie made friendships wherever she went, whether traveling to South America, working at Madison High School, attending Marine reunions, or visiting her daughters. Margie’s friendships lasted and extended into subsequent generations because she was committed to keeping them going. From being the youngest resident of 68th Street she became the matriarch of 68th Street embraced by her current neighbors.

As we say good-bye to our mother, we rejoice in the many years she spent raising us to be resourceful and independent women who continue the tradition of family.

A visitation for Margaret will be held Sunday, January 12, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Cusimano & Russo Funeral Home, 2005 West 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11223.