Obituary of Marguerite Claire Cemino Congdon

Marguerite Claire Cemino Congdon Retired Gift Buyer Haines City - Marguerite C. Congdon, 92, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, from congestive heart failure. Her family celebrates her long life knowing their deep and abiding faith stems from her belief in Jesus Christ and his saving grace. Born Saturday, January 22, 1921 to Michael Victor Cemino and Lucrezia Angela (Grace Ann) Ferrara in North Plainfield, New Jersey, Marguerite completed post high school graduate training in computers and worked at IBM. Because of her letter writing skills, Marguerite met her future husband through a mutual friend while the two soldiers served their country from the Middle East during WWII. The couple married in NJ on August 18, 1946 and honeymooned in nearby New York City before moving to Haines City, her husband's home town. There she met a community of friends and in-laws that sustained and supported her throughout the years. After raising two children, Marguerite worked 27 ½ years at Davidson's of Dundee. Her final position was the store's gift buyer for retired owner Glen Davidson. In addition, Marguerite was a member and officer in many community clubs including Haines City Woman's Club, Haines City Garden Club, and the county's Extension Homemaker's Club. She was a member and officer of Business Professional Women and St. Ann's Altar & Rosary Society. Marguerite's pledge envelope was No. 10, and she was the oldest surviving member of the original Catholic Church, which has been renamed St. Ann's. Her faith was sustained among the small Catholic community who originally met in the chapel of Haines City's only hotel. And it continued to mature over the years among the faithful in her own church and those of her friends and family. Preceded in death by her parents, three of her siblings and husband Frank Sterling, Marguerite is survived by daughter Judith Congdon Sawyer (Ron) of Tuscaloosa, AL; son Robert Sterling Congdon (Brenda) of Haines City; sister Barbara Nelson (Bob) formerly of South Plainfield, NJ; brother-in- law Elton Congdon (Flossie) of Haines City and their children; sister-in-law Lillian Barber (Jerry) of Haines City and their son; and sister-in-law Juanita Congdon of Haines City and her children. She is survived by her cherished cousins Envica Wood of Whiting, NJ; Josephine Walker (Carl) of Winston-Salem, NC;, and her husband's cousin Karen Palmer (David) of Berwick, Nova Scotia, Canada. She is also survived by beloved nephews and nieces scattered across the U.S. including: Charles Trautwein, Jr. (Stephanie) of Sioux Falls, SD; Kathleen Cemino of Unionville, CT; John DeNizio, Jr. (Karen) of San Clemente, CA; Elizabeth Scott (Rick) of Gainesville, FL; Betty Jane Medici of Ocala, FL; Robert Nelson, Jr., (Pam) of Morris Plains, NJ; Barbara Nelson (Paul, Jr.) of Stewartsville, NJ; Nancy Raffele (Sam) of Howell, NJ; and Patricia Smith (David) of Jacksonville, FL. She is also the beloved Nana of four grandchildren (Paige Minear (Nathan) of Marietta, GA; , Shane Rocker (Trina) of Haines City; Amanda Morgan (James) of Lexington, KY; and Kathy Congdon of Haines City as well as six great grandchildren (Harris Sterling Minear, Penn Minear, and Margaret Minear of Marietta, GA; Dillon Rocker and Kaitlyn Rocker of Haines City; and baby Joy Morgan of Lexington, KY). Family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 9 at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Haines City, Florida. Funeral Mass officiated by Fr. Patrick J. Sheedy, Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Ocala, FL, will begin at 1 p.m., Monday, June 10, at St. Ann's Catholic Church on 1311 Robinson Drive, Haines City, FL, with a half-hour interval in the narthex (lobby) of the church after the mass for those who wish to visit with the family. Marguerite will be laid to rest immediately following the visitation at Forest Hill Cemetery in Haines City. The family wishes to thank her doctors at Gessler Clinic, Winter Haven; caregivers and staff at Comfort Keepers, Winter Haven; and the nurses and staff at Good Shepherd Hospice, Polk County, FL, for their care. In lieu of flowers, please make Memorial Donations in her name to: The Women and Youth Home Project (The Way), P. O. Box 4364, Haines City, FL 33845; grant a child's last wish to see Disney World through the Make a Wish Foundation, 1053 North Orlando Avenue, Suite 1, Maitland, FL 32751, or select a charity of your choice.