Magdalene T. Law

Born in Budapest, Hungary, Mrs. Law came to this country with her parents and siblings in 1922. She grew up in Flushing, New York and graduated from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky where she met her husband, Ronald. Dr. Ronald Law was a United Methodist minister who, together with Mrs. Law, faithfully served churches in the New York Metropolitan area for 39 years. During these years, Mrs. Law enjoyed a distinguished volunteer career as a member of United Methodist Women. She held numerous leadership positions in the organization, including president of the New York Conference and a delegate to many regional and national meetings and conferences.

In her mid-career, Mrs. Law turned to education, earning a Masters’ Degree in Education from Long Island University and teaching elementary school in Freeport, New York for 18 years.

In 1999, the Laws moved to Chatham. They became active in congregational life at the United Methodist Church and the First Congregational Church. After Dr. Law’s death in 2002, Mrs. Law became a volunteer with Hospice and Palliative Care of Cape Cod. She was also a member of the Memoir Writing Group at the Chatham Public Library and was a frequent contributor to The Cape Cod Chronicle.

Magdalene Law will be remembered by many in Chatham as a strong woman of deep faith who had a significant influence on almost everyone she touched. She was a generous, loving person who always gave of herself first and thought of her own needs last. She lived the life she espoused and was the source of rich support for many around her. Her spirit and strength will be missed by those who knew her, but her deep abiding faith will continue to renew those who had the privilege to know her.

Mrs. Law is survived by her sister, Melitta Booth of Peoria, Arizona and a brother, Dr. Timothy Takaro of Asheville, North Carolina. She leaves her daughter, Kathleen Rhinesmith, her son-in-law, Dr. Stephen Rhinesmith; her grandsons, Christopher Rhinesmith and his wife Sarah of Chatham, Colin Rhinesmith and his wife Vanessa of Champaign, Illinois; and five great-grandchildren, Bowman, Kate, Chase, Brady and Lucy, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A service in celebration of Magdalene Law’s life will be held on Saturday, May 21 at the First Congregational Church of Chatham at 11 AM. Gifts in her memory, and in lieu of flowers, may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Cape Cod, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601.