Margaret E. Gladstone

She was born December 15, 1922 in Otego the daughter of the late Reginald and Winifred (Davies) Reeves.

Margaret proudly graduated from Otego Central School as the Valedictorian of the Class of 1941.

In November 1942, Margaret married Kenneth Beach. Ken predeceased her in September 1949. Following the death of her husband she went back to school as a single mom and received her Bachelors and Master’s Degree. She became a home economics teacher and taught at Milford Central School and also Gilbertsville Central School. She furthered her studies and became a case worker and worked for the Otsego County Department of Social Services. When she retired, Margaret was a Supervisor of the Homemakers at Social Services. Not wanting to be completely retired, Margaret still volunteered as a parent aide with Otsego County.

Then on June 7, 1952, Margaret married Herbert Gladstone. Herbert predeceased her in August 1983.

Margaret was an accomplished quilter and sewer. She quilted many quilts for her family and friends. She was a member of the Susquehanna Quilters Guild.

For nearly two decades, Margaret was a 4-H leader and formed her own all girls club the Thimbleina’s 4-H Club in Otego. Even after her retirement she continued teaching girls in the community how to sew. Margaret was a member of the Otego United Methodist Church for over 50 years and the United Methodist Women and was very fortunate to take two trips to Zimbabwe where she taught sewing to the women so they could make items and sell them. She was also a lay speaker. But most of all, Margaret loved her family and children. She was so proud of her grandchildren and later her great grandchildren. She hosted fresh air kids and also several Rotary Exchange Students. Several of the students still kept in touch with her. Margaret also enjoyed traveling and hiking with Herbert. They traveled all across the United States and also over seas.

Margaret was also a member of the Otego Historical Society.

Margaret is survived by her four children, Eleanor (Tom) Conklin of Rutherford, NJ, Leon Beach of Oneonta, Marie Gladstone of Albany and Nancy Gladstone of Otego; five grandchildren, Jeff Beach, Kristen Beach, Teena Conklin Carroll, Richard Conklin and Jeremy Redlien; three great grandchildren, Lucy Rose Carroll, William Carroll and Richard Bowie Conklin; two sisters, Dorothy Reeves of Cazenovia and Joyce Bullis of Otego; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter, Virginia Beach and brother, John Reeves and sister, Betty Crandall.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 27, 2016 in the Bookhout Funeral Home, 34 River Street, Otego from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Funeral services will immediately follow with the Reverend Fred Albrecht officiating. Burial will be in the Otego Evergreen Cemetery. Memorial donations in Margaret’s memory may be made to either the Otego United Methodist Church, 10 Church Street, Otego, New York 13825 or to the Otego Historical Society, PO Box 127, Otego, New York 13825.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Chestnut Park for their care and concern that was given to Margaret during her time at the nursing home.

To light a candle or send an online condolence please visit www.bookhoutfuneralhome.com

Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Otego.