Obituary of Margaret E Maney

Margaret Esther Lang Maney of State College, Pennsylvania, formerly a 42-year resident of Lake Gilman, New Jersey, was born in Woodbury, New Jersey, the daughter of Albert and Margaret Scharer Lang.  She died peacefully of natural causes in State College, Pennsylvania on December 16, 2020.

She is survived by children Robert Maney (Dolores) and Suzanne Osborne Trowbridge (William) of State College, three grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Robert Stephen Maney, who passed in 2016, and by her older brothers Albert, Fred, and Edward Lang. Marge grew up in Mickleton, New Jersey on her parents’ Sunnyside Farm between Harmony and Friendship Roads and was a 1946 graduate of Swedesboro High School. 

Marge was raised at a time when girls were often not encouraged to attend college, but her father agreed to a medical technician certificate program at Wilmington General Hospital, Wilmington, Delaware, where her roommate, Jeanne Maney, arranged an introduction to her handsome brother, Robert, thus beginning a 66-year love story. 

In her forties, Marge achieved her lifelong dream of attending college, earning both associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing. She was a tireless advocate of further education and influenced many young people and older women to aim high and not be afraid to try. She served as an RN in hospital, assisted-living, and home-healthcare settings. Marge had a beautiful singing voice and was a soprano soloist at weddings and other special events, and for many years was a member and soloist in several church choirs. Her favorite athletic activity was year-round swimming; additionally, she served as a lifeguard and instructor for several years, and her early-spring swim across her beloved Lake Gilman was an annual tradition. She also enjoyed walking, hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, and sailing. She was exceptionally curious about the world, especially the wonders of nature. She had a keen interest in gardening, birding, and exploring, and was a prodigious reader of fiction and nonfiction. She volunteered for numerous organizations, including Meals on Wheels and serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother and Girl Scout leader.

Before moving to Lake Gilman, Marge and Robert lived briefly in Clayton, New Jersey. One day while biking on Ellis Mill Road, they saw a narrow lane that might be a shortcut to return home. Riding along the lane, they discovered beautiful Lake Gilman and a house with a for-sale sign out front, and there they began a wonderful life on the lake, with treasured lake friends.

During retirement, Marge and Robert traveled throughout the U.S. via RV, visiting many state and national parks, and attending fairs, festivals, airshows, and other events. She loved the thrilling sound of the Mighty Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ in concert. She was a wonderful wife, mom, grandmom, great-grandmom, and friend whose unconditional love and kindness throughout her well-lived life were deeply felt by all.

As Marge wished, a private interment will be at the Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Williamstown, New Jersey next to her beloved husband Robert. Donations in her name are welcome to her favorite charity: Project HOME, Development Department,1515 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130, www.projecthome.org.