Mary Margaret Therese Quilter Mia

Mary Margaret Quilter Mia "Margie" was born August 19, 1946 to Thomas J. and Rose (Eggleston) Quilter and baptized at Most Holy Rosary Church, Syracuse, NY. She went home to almighty God to join her parents, her Gram Mary Catherine O'Boyle Eggleston, younger brother Mark Quilter, and beloved husband Stuart Mia on October 21, 2023.
Margie came into this world with both considerable challenges and significant intelligence. She was one of the most ferociously independent and feisty people – with an infectious laugh, cheerful optimism, deep compassion, and eternal, abiding faith.
Margie graduated high school from Kenwood Academy of the Sacred Heart in Albany, NY; attended Barat College, Lake Forest, IL and graduated from Gallaudet College for the Deaf (now University) in Washington, D.C.
After graduation, Margie moved to Milwaukee, to teach handicapped people while living at the YMCA. At her mother's urging, Margie returned to Syracuse in 1974 to get an advanced degree. In 1976 Margie was the first prelingually deaf student to complete a Master's Degree at Syracuse University – one of two Master's degrees she earned in her lifetime (Guidance & Counseling, and Social Work.)
After working at BOCES in Syracuse, Margie moved to Rochester, NY to work at the National Technical School for the Deaf, at RIT. There she served as a popular Counselor and taught Total Communication. She was a living role model for her students, whom she taught with enthusiastic joy!
In 1980, she was called to volunteer at Our Mother of Sorrows Infant Home in Necedah, WI where she counseled young mothers. It was there that she met and fell in love with Stuart Mia. Margie and Stu were married on October 24, 1987 and shared a home on Saint Mary's Way in Necedah, WI for 23 years until Stuart's tragic death. Margie lived there independently for 10 more years before moving to Our House Senior Assisted Living in the Wisconsin Dells in 2021.
Margie is survived by her siblings Rose Marie Quilter, rscj, Thomas J. Quilter, Jr (Sharon), J. David Quilter (Elizabeth), Anne Quilter Niland (Dennis), and her brother Mark's widow, Linda Quilter, and her brother-in-law Stacey D. Mia. She leaves dozens of nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends to cherish her memory.
Margie will be buried next to Stu at Santa Maria Rosa Mystica Catholic Church – Eastern Rite, W4929 23rd Street East, Necedah, WI. Father Stan Monaghan will preside over services on Wed Nov 1, 2023: 11:30 am Wake and Rosary, and 1 pm Funeral Mass followed by Graveside service.
The family extends gratitude to Barb Horak and her family in Necedah, Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care (agrace.org), and the staff at Inclusa and Our House for their tender care of our sweet Margie.
A memorial celebration of Margie's life will be held in Syracuse in 2024.