It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Margaret Mary (Fitzsimons) Lynch on April 26, 2025, at her home in Highland Mills. She was 84.
Margaret was born on Nov. 19, 1940, in Springtown, Granard, County Longford in Ireland. She was the daughter of Connor Fitzsimons and Margaret Mary Fitzsimons.
Margaret was a homemaker and held numerous employment positions throughout her life. Some of the most special to her included waiting tables for Carl Hoppl at the Valley Stream Park Inn in Long Island and the Golden Inn in Monroe. She also worked as a Warehouse Manager for Cats, Cats, and More Cats in Monroe, where many special friendships were made. She and her family served as volunteers at Wild Haven, which was a wildlife rehabilitation center in Chester. She was a member of St. Anastasia Church in Harriman.
Margaret was an outgoing, fun- loving woman who was a force to be reckoned with. She grew up on her family’s farm in Ireland (the old country), which cultivated her love and passion for helping animals.
When she was just 18 years old, she bravely emigrated to the United States, and when she shared this with you, she would beam with pride. She settled in New York and began to build her life.
On May 25, 1968, after a three-month courtship, she married the love of her life, Robert Lynch, and three years later, they welcomed their first child.
She and Bob loved to travel and go on adventures together. They loved to visit with their extended families all over the United States, Ireland, England and Wales. She lost count of the number of cousins that she had and taught us how important family connections were. Margaret was strong in her faith and was always willing to lend a helping hand.
She was a Mets fan through the good and the bad and she and Bob enjoyed going to games at Shea Stadium and Citi Field. She was a lover of music, and Nashville, Tennessee, became one of her favorite destinations.
She was locally famous for her Irish soda bread that she was known to barter with throughout town. She made dozens of soda breads around St. Patrick’s Day each year as an expression of love for the lucky recipients. She would surprise you with a plate of hot chocolate chip cookies - just because.
Margaret is survived by her daughters Julie Ann Morgante (Michael) of Monroe and Janet Williamson (Taggart) of Walden; her brother John Fitzsimons of Maspeth; sister-in-law Kathleen Fitzsimons of Flushing; and her five grandchildren: Katherine and Lauren Morgante and Alexandra, Taggart and Stephanie Williamson. Margaret also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Robert D. Lynch, and by her brothers Edward Fitzsimons and Cornelius Fitzsimons, and her sister-in-law Philomena Fitzsimons.
The family would like to thank and acknowledge a very special person who came into our lives after the passing of Bob, her health aide and partner in crime, Jessica Adams, who helped Mom keep “buzzing along.”
Jessica, we will never forget the sense of peace that you provided to our family, knowing that Mom was well taken care of. We love you and always will.
We would also like to thank her neighbors and friends and the countless heroes, the nurses, doctors, local EMT and EMS personnel, for the grace and dignity that you showed towards our mother. Your kindness will never be forgotten.
Visitation was held May 1 at Smith, Seaman, and Quackenbush Inc., Funeral Home, 117 Maple Ave., Monroe.
A Funeral Mass was held May 2 at St. Anastasia Church, 110 Route 17M, Harriman.
Interment followed at Cemetery of The Highlands in Highland Mills.
Donations in Margaret’s memory can be mailed to: Columbia University Irving Medical Center: Office of Development Nephrology, 516 West 168th Street, Third Floor, New York, NY 10032. Please put “in Memory of Margaret Lynch” in the notes section of your check.
Arrangements by Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc., Funeral Homes, Monroe (845 782-8185 or www.ssqfuneralhome.com).