Margaret May Beckingham, 86, of Old Forge died peacefully at her home on January 3, 2014.
She was born March 7, 1927, in Detroit, MI, a daughter of Herschell and Florence (Roberts) Watson, and received her education in Kennett, MO schools. In June of 1944 she married Frank Ritz in Piggott, AR, and later married Donald Beckingham on April 14, 1979, in Phoenix, AZ. Mr. Becking-ham died on January 5, 1982.
Margaret worked for years as a waitress at the Knotty Pine Restaurant, and also part-time at the former D & D Grocery Store. She eventually retired after working 17 years as a cafeteria cook at the Town of Webb School. Margaret was a member of the Old Forge Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, and attended Niccolls Memorial Presbyterian Church. She was adored by her surviving family.
Survivors include her children, Terry F. Ritz of Old Forge, Connie Kelly and her husband, Don Martin, of NC, and Steve Ritz and his wife, Diane, of Old Forge; grandchildren Miranda Kelly of FL, Jessie Palisin and her husband, Brian, of SC, Matt Ritz and his wife, Rebecca, of MD, Casey Ritz and his wife , Kyle, of Syracuse, Brian Ritz and his wife, Tiffany, of CO, and Aimee Ritz of TX; great-grandchildren, Johnny, Charlie, Taylor, Natalie, Luna, Aiden, Maxine, Leo, Sawyer and Eliza; and a sister, Sandra McFate of AZ.
A graveside service will be held in the spring in Riverview Cemetery. In keeping with her wishes, there are no calling hours. Friends are asked to consider a donation in Margaret’s memory to the American Legion Post 893 Ladies Auxiliary, P. O. Box 502, Old Forge, NY 13420, or HASCA, P.O. Box 25, Old Forge, NY 13420. Arrangements are under the direction of the Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral Home, Old Forge. Online messages of sympathy may be left at www.dfwefh.com.
