Margaret Zamierowski

1925 - 2014

Margaret Rapine

Zamierowski

Hyde Park - Margaret Rapine Zamierowski, 89, a longtime resident of Hyde Park, passed away August 22nd after a long and productive life. She is survived by her husband, John Zamierowski, her children Margaret, John (and wife Claire), Susan Witter, Ann Van Deusen, Marianne, Stephanie, and Elizabeth Wenger (and husband David); daughter-in-law Geraldine; grandchildren Charles Cashdollar, Jerome and Mia Chiaro, Allison Loy, Cathalyn Van Deusen, Brooke Wenger, Brian and Rachel Witter, and Christopher, John, and Michael Zamierowski; great-grandchildren Tara Ystebo and Tiernan Loy; sister Helen Rapine, I.H.M.; in-laws Rosemary Kelbel and Edward Zamierowski, S.M.; and nieces and nephews Bill Rapine, Joseph Rapine, James Rapine, Thomas Rapine, Mary Rapine Polignano, David Zamierowski, Donna Polizzi, Kathleen Klimowicz, Greg Klimowicz, Paula, Patricia, Philip Klimowicz, and other extended family.

Margaret is predeceased by her son Michael Zamierowski, her brother Joseph Rapine, and her brother-in-law Stephen Zamierowski.

Margaret was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, on February 10, 1925, to Margaret Ruch Rapine and William Deaver Rapine, and she grew up largely in the extended-family home of the Ruch family. She graduated from West Catholic Girls' High School in Philadelphia and attended a business school. While working in Philadelphia, she and a friend led a group of Girl Scouts in a disadvantaged South Phillie neighborhood, the start of her lifelong appreciation of Scouting. Margaret met John Zamierowski, the love of her life, at a USO dance in Philadelphia, and married him December 9, 1950. They then proceeded to have the large family that became their primary concern. In so doing, they settled in Hyde Park, New York, in 1961.

Margaret was an active volunteer in church, civic, and her children's school affairs. She served on numerous committees and projects at Regina Coeli Church, including Altar Rosary Society, dances, fundraisers, holiday bazaars, and other events. Her civic activism began with the Hyde Park Visual Environment Committee and, once her children were grown, reached a high point in her work with devoted friends Joyce Ghee, Joan Spence, and many others to develop Eleanor Roosevelt's Val-Kill cottage and property into the vibrant national historic site and leadership center it is today. Margaret was one of the people who "saved Val-Kill," a board member for ten years, and president of the board for one term (among other roles), earning several awards. Helping build a platform for leadership programs inspired by the values and life of Eleanor Roosevelt was the seminal work of her life (besides having all those kids). In all her endeavors, Margaret was supported by her strong faith and her deep love of God. By the end of her life she attended services at St. Peter's and Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel.

Margaret, a robust Catholic all her life, loved her family and friends, her religion, baseball, reading, the theatre, and the old farmhouse on Rogers Road where she and John raised their children. Her life was full of people she loved. She will be deeply missed by all those who knew her.

Calling hours will be Thursday, August 28th, 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm, at Sweet's Funeral Home, Inc., Rte 9, Hyde Park. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 am Friday, at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel of St. Peter's Parish, 185 Hudson View Dr., Poughkeepsie. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, Poughkeepsie. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill, PO Box 255, Hyde Park, NY 12538, or www.ervk.org.

To send an online condolence, or for directions, please visit www.sweetsfuneral home.com