Margaret Leavey

1916 - 2017

Leavey, Margaret

Margaret Tenny Leavey, of Orangeburg, NY passed away peacefully on March 24, 2017 with her family at her side. Margaret, affectionately known as "Ma" to many, was born the second of nine children in Detroit, Michigan on May 6, 1916 to Margaret and William Tenny. At the age of 7, the family moved to Fordham Road in the Bronx. Margaret graduated from St. Simon Stock in 1933 and was fortunate enough to work as a legal secretary during the Depression era. It was in the Bronx where Margaret met the love of her life Harry Leavey. The two married and after Harry's return from World War II, they had eight children. In April 1958, the family moved to Orangeburg and joined St. Catharine's Parish. Margaret's children added 14 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild through the years. Ma has always been the rock of the Leavey family. In a world where criticism and sarcasm are commonplace, Ma never said a bad word about anyone. She encouraged others to look for the good in everyone and to always appreciate the little things in life. With her sharp sense of humor and her infectious smile, Ma always emphasized the importance of family celebrating every holiday at her home. Her kindness, compassion and generosity exemplifies the ideals of the "Greatest Generation" and her legacy lives on through her children.

Margaret Leavey is predeceased by her husband Harry Leavey. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Margaret Skvorec, Thomas and Barbara Leavey, James and Helen Leavey, William Leavey, Joan Leavey, Harry Leavey, Christopher and Barbara Leavey, and Marion Leavey and her husband Mike Seidel. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren and their spouses, Debbie and Dennis Tarantino, Cynthia Colburn, Tanya and Kieran Dwyer, Rudy and Kenyatta Arietta, James Leavey, Jessica and Sean Budway, Michael and Melissa Arietta, Richard Skvorec, Kristen and Maaike Leavey, Thomas and Sonia Leavey, Megan Leavey, William Leavey and Cynthia Leavey. She was also much loved by her great-grandchildren, Melissa, Dominic and Joseph Tarantino; Grace, Stefan and Aidan Colburn; Krista, Kayla and Pierce Dwyer; Tiera Rice and Rudy and Sean Arietta; Haley Arietta; Jack, Emily, Luke and Savannah Budway; Rory Leavey; Logan Leavey and her great great- grandaughter Raevyn. Margaret's family also includes other relatives and numerous nephews and nieces that she held dear.

Visitation will be held at Moritz Funeral Home in Tappan on Tuesday, March 28 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 29 at 10 am at St. Catharine's Church in Blauvelt with burial to follow at Ascension Cemetery in Airmont.

In lieu of flowers, the Leavey family asks that you send donations in Margaret's name to the Carmelite Monastery at 89 Hiddenbrooke Drive, Beacon, NY 12508-2230.

Moritz Funeral Home

98 Route 303 South

Tappan, NY 10983

(845) 359-0890

www.moritzfh.com