Margaret Harrington

Margaret Cromarty Harrington passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family on February 26, 2014. Marge was born on April 21, 1924, in Amityville, NY, the youngest of eleven children of Alexander and Ellen Cromarty. Growing up on Long Island, Marge enjoyed everything outdoors and cherished life in a large, loving family. She had a deep love for her faith and spoke of her gratitude for the Catholic education she received from the nuns at Queen of the Rosary Academy. Luckily for her three children, she did not follow her thoughts of becoming a nun and instead became engaged to Dan Harrington, someone finally able to match her prowess on the dance floor. During WWII, Marge joined the ranks of Rosie Riveters, working for Grumman Aircraft. After their marriage in 1946, she became an Army officer’s wife and a loving, dedicated mother. As they moved from base to base, Marge became fierce at playing bridge and also found her talents showcased in musicals sponsored by the Officers Club. Dan later became Chair of the Foreign Language Department at what is now Texas A & M at Commerce, and the family settled in nearby Greenville. She lived there for over forty years where she began working in retail and then ended her working years as a security receptionist for E Systems (now L-3). She attended St. Williams Catholic Church in Greenville. Marge moved to Dallas in 2005, becoming the energizing spirit of her retirement community and a member of the parish at St. Monica’s. She spent her last few years sharing a home with her youngest child, Patty, and becoming addicted to murder mysteries and Downton Abbey.

Margaret Harrington was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, nine brothers and sisters, and son-in-law, Ed Delaney. She is survived by one brother, Arthur Cromarty of Lindenhurst, NY; a son, Dan Harrington and wife Darcy of Plant City, FL; two daughters, Elaine Carpenter and husband Ronnie of Fate, and Patricia Delaney of Dallas. She is also survived by grandchildren, Tracy Haller and husband John of Liberty Hill; Nick Melser and wife Raena of Bloomington, MN; Kimberly Barnes and husband Philip of Bethany, OK; and Stephen Carpenter and wife Angelia of Greenville; great-grandchildren, Shane Stifflemire, Ransom Barnes, Tait Barnes, Kambry Barnes, and Reagan Carpenter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a visitation at Cavalry Hill Mausoleum North Chapel, 3235 Lombardy Lane, from 5:00-8:00 on Friday, February 28, with a Rosary at 6:30. The funeral mass will be at St. Monica’s Catholic Church on Saturday, March 1, at 10:00, followed by a graveside service at Calvary Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Marge requested that donations be made to the Ed Delaney Scholarship Fund at St. Monica’s Catholic School, 9933 Midway Rd., Dallas, TX., 75220.