Margaret Barbara Howard

Born on August 15, 1937, in the Bronx, New York, Maggie was an independent, passionate, and adventurous woman whose charm and wit touched everyone she met.

She grew up on Long Island and graduated from Sewanhaka High School. Throughout her life, she lived in many places that became home, including Cape Coral and, most recently, Davenport, Florida.

Maggie shared her life with her beloved husband, Joseph Howard, and their cat, Sammie. She is survived by her husband, Joseph Howard and their loving children Cathy Hafele, James (Carol) Howard, and Susan (Barry) Foy; and her grandchildren Joshua (Tazhi) Hafele and Jaimee (Rhett Eubanks) Hafele. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Margaret Kompass, her sister Barbara Anderson, and her son-in-law David Hafele. She also leaves behind many dear friends and extended family members who will miss her deeply.

Maggie lived a life defined by determination and ambition. In an era when women were often expected to follow rather than lead, she charted her own path. She held many roles in her lifetime—from secretary to DMV employee to working at her family’s delicatessen in New York City. She was also the owner of a liquor store and travel agency, and eventually a beloved convention guide at Epcot in Disney World, where she found immense joy and lasting friendships.

Maggie was sharp, and a progressive thinker. She adored her family and was a planner at heart, creating countless cherished memories and adventures. She was a world traveler with some of her favorite places being Germany, Denmark, Norway, Hong Kong, and Alaska. She was a “super cruiser,” and took over 54 cruises with friends and family. Her adventurous spirit made her a friend to strangers and a source of laughter in the room.

In her later years, she discovered new passions—knitting hats for newborns, and creating intricate Diamond Art pieces, including a special chicken piece for her granddaughter’s chicken coop.

Maggie’s strength, humor, and generous heart will be remembered always. Her legacy is one of resilience and unconditional love.

She left this poem to be shared with those she loved:

"Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on the snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you waken in the mornings, hush. I am the swift uplifting rush. of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there; I did not die."

A private memorial will be held by the family to celebrate Maggie’s life and honor her final wishes. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to take a trip, plan a cruise, or simply share a moment of joy with those you love—just as Maggie would have wanted.