Obituary for Margaret Stajk
STAJK - Margaret passed away on November 28, 2020, at the age of 91. She was predeceased by her husband, George, and her son, Gregory. Margie was a beloved mother to Edward (Jeff), Ellen (James) and Jeanie (Robert). Survived by her brothers Edward and Ronald. Margie had five grandchildren, two great grandchildren and many extended family members. She will be missed by all who knew her. Reposing Sunday 2-6pm at Clayton Funeral Home, Inc. 25 Meadow Rd., Kings Park. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Monday 9:30am at St. Joseph’s RC Church, Kings Park. Interment to follow at Commack Cemetery.
In memory of Margaret "Margie" Stajk
1929-2020
Margie Stajk was a woman who gave us many memories; to some, the memories will be of her being the better half of Margie and George, a beautiful couple living the American dream in Kings Park. To her children, she will be the loving and compassionate mother who, even while banging the vacuum against their door to keep them from sleeping in on Saturday morning, wanted the best for her kids and her family. To her grandchildren, the memories of Spring Breaks on Hutchinson Island, the convenience store, and the time where I told the cashier to “keep the change” remain with me (and in case I forget, my brother and sister will be there to remind me). Her great-grandchildren will remember the homemade tea set and the book she wrote right before her passing; her brothers will remember her as a lighthouse, guiding the way for them to make their way through the world.
Margie loved to be the life of the party, and the center of attention. She regaled us with lines of “Cuanto La Gusta” with her fellow Lemon Sisters, who are no doubt happy to reunite with her to forever entertain the saints and the angels. She continued to send cards and flowers when others would simply send an e-mail message, she was as generous with her wealth as she was with her spirit, ensuring her grandchildren had opportunities that others can only dream of having, and she maintained a bond with those whom she met through unspeakable tragedy.
That last part is how I will always remember my grandmother, as a woman of incredible strength and character. On September 11th, she suffered a loss that no mother should ever experience: she lost one of her sons, Greg in an unexpected, tragic, and horrifying event that only happens once in a generation. Now this alone would emotionally devastate most people, but less than 4 months later, she lost the person whom she knew and loved the longest: her husband, George.
Many people would have made the decision at that point that they will no longer find happiness or joy, and choose to wallow in misery until they could be reunited with those they lost. No one would have blamed Margie if she chose to become bitter, angry, and miserable; she followed the words of Robert Frost, and chose the road less travelled. She threw herself into living her best years for the sake of her daughters and her son, and for her grandchildren; she went on cruises, and played Crazy 8’s with her family, and got to see her oldest granddaughter give birth to the two most beautiful great-grandchildren in the world (I will admit, I am biased). She lived another 19 years since those tragic 4 months, and with the help of her children, I would like to think that they were the best years of her life.
If there’s one thing I will remember about my grandmother, it is this: she chose happiness, when others couldn’t find any. She chose joy, where others saw tragedy; and she saw love, where others only saw pain. She loved, and therefore, she was loved.
In memory of Margaret "Margie" Stajk
1929-2020
Margie Stajk was a woman who gave us many memories; to some, the memories will be of her being the better half of Margie and George, a beautiful couple living the American dream in Kings Park. To her children, she will be the loving and compassionate mother who, even while banging the vacuum against their door to keep them from sleeping in on Saturday morning, wanted the best for her kids and her family. To her grandchildren, the memories of Spring Breaks on Hutchinson Island, the convenience store, and the time where I told the cashier to “keep the change” remain with me (and in case I forget, my brother and sister will be there to remind me). Her great-grandchildren will remember the homemade tea set and the book she wrote right before her passing; her brothers will remember her as a lighthouse, guiding the way for them to make their way through the world.
Margie loved to be the life of the party, and the center of attention. She regaled us with lines of “Cuanto La Gusta” with her fellow Lemon Sisters, who are no doubt happy to reunite with her to forever entertain the saints and the angels. She continued to send cards and flowers when others would simply send an e-mail message, she was as generous with her wealth as she was with her spirit, ensuring her grandchildren had opportunities that others can only dream of having, and she maintained a bond with those whom she met through unspeakable tragedy.
That last part is how I will always remember my grandmother, as a woman of incredible strength and character. On September 11th, she suffered a loss that no mother should ever experience: she lost one of her sons, Greg in an unexpected, tragic, and horrifying event that only happens once in a generation. Now this alone would emotionally devastate most people, but less than 4 months later, she lost the person whom she knew and loved the longest: her husband, George.
Many people would have made the decision at that point that they will no longer find happiness or joy, and choose to wallow in misery until they could be reunited with those they lost. No one would have blamed Margie if she chose to become bitter, angry, and miserable; she followed the words of Robert Frost, and chose the road less travelled. She threw herself into living her best years for the sake of her daughters and her son, and for her grandchildren; she went on cruises, and played Crazy 8’s with her family, and got to see her oldest granddaughter give birth to the two most beautiful great-grandchildren in the world (I will admit, I am biased). She lived another 19 years since those tragic 4 months, and with the help of her children, I would like to think that they were the best years of her life.
If there’s one thing I will remember about my grandmother, it is this: she chose happiness, when others couldn’t find any. She chose joy, where others saw tragedy; and she saw love, where others only saw pain. She loved, and therefore, she was loved.