Margaret (Kutarnia) Spyhalski

Margaret Spyhalski, 95, formerly of Forest City, passed away Friday evening at River Glen Healthcare Center, Southbury, CT. Her husband Joseph A. Spyhalski preceded her on July 27, 1993.

Born November 27, 1923 in Forest City, Marge was the daughter of the late John and Josephine Mazuchowski Kutarnia. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church and Ascension Parish, Forest City. Margaret attended Forest City High School. After High School she began working as a switchboard operator in Forest City. Later in the 50's Marge began working as a cashiers at the A&P market on Main Street. After working there for several years, her husband Joe and she purchased the Sportsmans' Cafe in Richmondale. There she worked all the various jobs involved in owning a business: short order cook, bartender, and everything in between. After selling the establishment in the 70's she then took a career working as a floor manager for a small garment industry shop. She was very actively involved in the Sacred Heart Church on Hudson Street. Marge was a member of the Saint Theresa Society, and active president of the Ladies Altar and Rosary Society and worked untiringly on many fund raisers included making perogies, potato pancakes, clam chowder, roast beef dinners and heading up the annual Sacred Heart quilt bingo. Another love of Marge's and Joe's was the Veteran of Foreign War's Forest City Chapter where she was repeatedly elected into office. The ladies marched for years in parades and always sold hundreds of red poppies in behalf of the veterans. In 2013 Marge moved to Sandy Hook, CT to live with her daughter Peg and husband John. In the last 2 years, Marge resided in the River Glen Nursing home where she was loved by many, many loving staff members and residents. At River Glen Nursing Home, she held the office of the Resident's Council where she was the voice of the resident's and shepherded in many changes.

She is survived by a daughter Margaret (Peg) and husband John G. Smith, Sandy Hook, CT; a son Joseph Spyhalski, Vestal, NY; a sister Celestine Cicco, Forest City, a brother Robert Kutarnia, Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren, Meg and husband Jason Lasicki, Katie Rose Smith, and Melissa Spyhalski; great grandchildren Keaton, Fletcher, and Gabriel; and loving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by brothers John and Frank; and a sister Sylvia Kresock.

Margaret was a loving, caring and giving mother, grand and great grandmother who will be deeply missed. If anyone had ever spent time with Marge they would have recognized the qualities she possessed. She was a very persistent, and honest person. Out spoken at times, but never without good intentions. Just imagine living 95 years through some very tough times, surviving them all, and to remain the person she was, is amazing. Memories are what we are, and she certainly gave and took many in her life.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday at 10 am in St. Joseph's Church, Forest City. Interment in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Viewing will be Monday 5 to 8 PM at the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City.

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