In Memory of Margaret B. Chambers

Obituary

The summer’s unofficial overseer of Inlet and an Adirondack native, Margaret B. Chambers, died on December 22, 2017. Margaret lived a full life and engaged life with her husband in the Adirondacks and later in Florida and still later in New Hartford with her daughter, Beverly Ischia. She was one of eight children born to George Vern Hodkinson and Dorothy Lydia Spencer in the town of Pinckney (Barnes Corners) on October 30, 1927. She attended a one room school house there through the sixth grade and finished her education at Lowville Academy where she met her future husband, Alvin.

The couple eloped following Alvin’s honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946, and set up their household in Inlet. They had three children, Beverly, Stephen and Paul Chambers.

Margaret was always fully engaged in her community of Inlet. She was a member of the PTA, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Fireman’s Auxiliary, and the Altar Society at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.

She worked at several Adirondack resorts including the Mohawk Hotel, at Kalil’s Department Store, and even drove ambulance, but she drew the line at pumping gas at her husband’s service station.

Margaret maintained a consistently good mood along with strong opinions, all of which she was willing to share, as she was a talented conversationalist. She was an equally accomplished seamstress, making clothes, quilts, and embroidered pillows for her children, six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Her many scrapbooks clearly illustrate her pride in her family and her loyalty to her friends.

Most of Margaret’s friends had already passed on and she missed them dearly. Roz Starer was one of her remaining and most valued friends. Roz would often meet Margaret for 3-hour lunches in New Hartford. Also especially meaningful to Margaret was the Sharp’s group of retirees with whom she met most Wednesdays in the summer.

Margaret celebrated her 90^th birthday last October at a surprise party organized by her children and their families at the Old Barn in Inlet, owned by her close friends, Kathy and Ron Hansen. She was truly surprised and thrilled to see so many family members and friends. It was a joyous occasion and reflected the love that the community had for her.

Those who wish to make a contribution in Margaret’s honor can do so to the Cousins Who Care Fund, Sharp, or the Inlet Historical Society. There will be a memorial service for Margaret on June 2, 2018, at 3 p.m. at the Old Barn, Inlet, NY.