Margaret Jane Payne's Obituary
Devotion, grace, and tender nurturing were hallmarks of Margaret J. Payne’s life. Born to William and Gertrude Clarke on Aug. 21, 1923 in the small town of Lee in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, Mrs. Payne’s New England upbringing likely instilled the fortitude needed to raise nine children with her husband (Frederick J. Payne, deceased), a Cleveland attorney in private practice. Maybe it was the discipline learned as a surgical nurse during WWII in Washington, D.C. that culminated in a R.N. degree from Catholic University of America (Class of 1946); maybe it was her natural grace and poise; certainly it was her deep faith that inspired her care for a growing family, her aging parents and her in-laws. She accomplished all with tender devotion, ever-present delightfulness, and seemingly effortless skill.
Mrs. Payne and her husband were active in St. Clare Church in Lyndhurst for many years before Mr. Payne’s death in 2002 and Mrs. Payne’s subsequent moves to New York, Florida, and New Jersey to live with various children in her senior years. More recently, Mrs. Payne resided at Light of Hearts Villa in Bedford where she passed away on October 20. She was “Margie/MJ” to Fred, “Mom” to her 9 children, “Grandma” to her 32 grandchildren, “G-Gma” to her 36 great-grandchildren, and “Marg” to her many friends.
Mrs. Payne’s defining quality was her love of children and family. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Mary McGruder (John); Michael (Jean Carroon); John (Sue); Fred (Mary Ann Miller) (Mary Lynn, deceased); Bill (Susanne); Kevin, deceased (Lisa); Jeannette Steigerwald (Dan); Beth Degerstedt (Bruce, deceased); Tess Cammack (Jon). Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will remember her ready wit, loving devotion, and uncanny skills in winning endless games of Irish Rummy and Cribbage. “Margie/MJ/Mom/Grandma/G-Gma/Marg” etched an indelible mark on them all, and her daily prayers for the health and faith of her family will long outlive an exceptional and beautiful life.
A funeral Mass and private interment will be held next summer. Any remembrances may be made to Light of Hearts Villa (lightofheartsvilla.org) or Hospice of the Western Reserve (hospicewr.org) in appreciation for their outstanding care and unfailing comfort.
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