Margaret M Neiss

Margaret was born to Charles and Frances (Cray) Neiss on June 17, 1935 in Ashland, Pennsylvania.

Margaret grew up in Woodside (Queens) NY and was the oldest of three children. She fondly remembered the closeness of her family, visits to the City on Sunday afternoons with her father and playing with her childhood friends. She attended St. Sebastian Grammar School and was a graduate of Dominican Commercial High School in Queens, NY. Although Margaret was a proud New Yorker, she loved her time visiting family in Girardville, Pennsylvania. She warmly remembered family gatherings with her Poppy (grandfather), aunts and uncles. One of Margaret's warmest, vivid and recounted memories was the dancing in the streets of Girardville when victory of WWII was announced.

Upon graduating high school, and until her retirement, Margaret was a Queens, NY resident. Her first job was as a secretary at Esso (currently Exxon) and she held positions in several other companies before spending the last 14 years of her career as an Executive Assistant with D. George Harris & Associates. Upon retirement, Margaret moved to Sun City, South Carolina where she spent several years. There she spent time with her brother George and his wife Ginny, entertained her family and friends and was active in the community and its activities. Missing NY though, Margaret decided to move back there in 2018, to the enthusiasm of her nephews and nieces.

Margaret loved to travel, shop, QVC, large salty pretzels, Broadway shows/tunes, taking pictures, animals (and they loved her), late night phone conversations, bingo, the Mary Tyler Moore Show, the Mets, ice cold diet Pepsi, and her country. Family and friends were the focus of Margaret’s life though. She had many enduring friendships due to her loyalty, generosity, and her unwavering support. She made people feel special and always left them with a warm feeling. Margaret always tried to stay close and in contact with the people she loved and often would give them an endearing nickname that she would only call them.

Margaret’s passion was centered around her nieces and nephews. “Aunt Marg” championed them and was always their biggest cheerleader. She never failed to recognize a birthday, holiday, promotion or any of their life events. She loved spending time with them as they did with her. Aunt Marg was synonymous with fun. Whether it was taking them on trips, shopping sprees, McDonald’s or doing her favorite thing with them, catching up over a “nice cup of tea” and an English Muffin.

Aunt Marg’s admiration and kindness extended to many of her nephews’ closest friends. She often asked about them and they were in her thoughts throughout her final days.

Margaret was predeceased by her parents Charles and Frances Neiss, her sister Martina (Neiss) McCann and her brother and sister-in-law George and Virginia Neiss.

Margaret is survived by her brother-in-law Kevin McCann (Martina). Nephews and Nieces: Kevin G. McCann and Donna M. McCann, Michael C. McCann and Donna A. McCann, James P. McCann, Matthew F. McCann and Lisa Aiuto-McCann, Michael and Daniella Neiss, Laura (Neiss) and Mark Van Genderen. Grand Nieces and Nephews: Courtney (McCann) and Joe Dell’Orto, Michael Jr. and Kayla McCann, Erin (McCann) and Bailey Clark, Shannon, Marissa, James, Kaitlyn and Collin McCann, Aaron, Ethan, Cate and Mei Lin Van Genderen. Great Grand Niece: Hailey Rae Dell’Orto.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Margaret at 11:15 on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Ss. Cyril & Methodius RC Church, Deer Park Ave, Deer Park, NY.

Interment of Margaret’s Ashes will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Fountain Springs, Pennsylvania on October 13, 2023 at 12 pm.

In lieu of flowers or donations, please have “a nice cup of tea” with someone special in Margaret’s memory.