Margaret Merkley Withey

1929 - 2013

Margaret Merkley Withey of Canton, passed away peacefully in the company of her family at the home of her son Jeff on Monday, (November 11, 2013). Beloved wife of the late Lawrence M. "Larry" Withey, Margaret was born in Roanoke, VA on February 19, 1929 to Leona Merkley and Dr. Booker Lee. She spent her early years in Gouverneur, NY and after graduating from Russell Sage College in Troy, NY, settled in Connecticut. She was a gifted writer who applied her special talents throughout her life. Margaret was the editor of the Russell Sage newspaper. Her first job after college was as the editor of the employee newspaper at General Electric in Plainville, Connecticut 1950-1952 and then at The Hartford Courant, 1953-1954. After marrying and raising three children, she earned her Masters Degree in English from Trinity College. Margaret was a dedicated and conscientious teacher of English and Creative Writing at Canton High School for over 20 years. She retired in 1982 to help to author a D.C. Heath grammar and composition textbook series. As a woman who loved higher education, she then decided to go to law school, graduating with a JD from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1990. She passed the bar exam the same year, and later worked at the CT Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO). Her volunteer and community activities included many years of acting and singing with Canton Benefit Productions, singing with the University of Hartford Community Chorus, writing for the University of Hartford Communications office from 1999-2008, and assisting at the Canton Historical Society. Margaret is survived by her three children and their spouses: Bruce H. Withey and Steven M. Cohen of Jamaica Plain, MA, Jeffrey Withey and Mary Boss Withey of Lebanon and Ann E. Withey and Robert F. Miller of Hampton and her grandchildren: Benjamin Withey and his wife Sarah Finney, Delia Withey, Molly Miller, Phoebe Miller, Jeremy Cohen, Aaron Cohen and Elizabeth Cohen. The family would like to thank the nurses, staff, and hospice volunteers of VNA East's Hospice of Eastern Connecticut for the care that they provided to Margaret and her family and to thank the many friends who provided meals, visits, and support. Friends may call at the Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Turnpike in Canton on Friday, November 15th from 4-7 p.m. A memorial service will be celebrated at the funeral home on Saturday, November 16th at 2 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Margaret's memory to Green Peace, 702 H Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20001 or at greenpeace.org. Please visit Margaret's "Book of Memories" at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.