Obituary of Margaret W. Craig

Margaret Craig (nee Wilcox) - Like the thousands of books eagerly devoured by Margaret W. Craig, the multiple chapters of her lifetime introduced part-time characters and mainstays. As anyone who knew her would attest, her laugh was loud and contagious, her smile big and bright, her wit quick, and her insights direct and compelling. To be friends with Margaret Craig was to know someone trusted and loyal, dedicated and determined, direct and fair, giving and thoughtful, caring and loving.

Born in Hackensack on January 3, 1934, the only child of Ethel F. and John A. Wilcox, Mrs. Craig passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2019, after her final chapter concluded.

Incorrect positioning at birth led to a lack of oxygen and the not-yet newborn began to turn blue. The doctor acted quickly to deliver and save the baby. The result of his haste was breaking Margaret’s collarbone and nerve plexus, a lifelong injury that limited the use of her left arm. She could have used this setback as an excuse but persevered through years of therapy to maximize its use. She pursued intellectual challenges, becoming as well-exercised mentally as any athlete was physically.

In 1941, Margaret’s parents acquired the Ridgewood Secretarial School, and moved the family from Long Island to the large Victorian home that served as the school (on the grounds of the current King’s food market) where they held classes and raised her. In her younger years, she loved to travel with her parents to their OH roots, and other car trips throughout New England. In those days, young Margaret and a friend thought it to be a terrific prank to diaper a cherub statue in town. Her mother once made a comment about “kids these days” upon seeing it and young Margaret had all she could do to contain her laughter.

She graduated from Ridgewood HS in 1952 and earned her B.A. from The Ohio State University in 1956, where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She remained a proud alumna and fan of Buckeye football and TBDBITL. After college, she headed to FL, where she taught elementary school for a year before returning home to take a larger role at the family’s popular secretarial school. Eventually, Margaret was part-owner, director, and later President as her parents neared retirement. This was virtually unheard of for a woman in the 1960s, even in a family-run business.

In her mid-twenties, she joined the Ridgewood Junior Women’s Club, where she made many strong friendships that lasted the rest of her life. The family also became members of St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Ridgewood. On one occasion, she took the Mensa (high IQ society) exam, scored well, and became a member for a while.

She moved with her family to Wyckoff in the early 1960s when school operations moved across Maple Avenue. Soon thereafter, she met Bob, whom she married in 1966, and established their first residence in Midland Park. The secretarial school was sold, and though she loved and adored her father, she was displeased with this decision, as she desired to manage the school she knew so well. But the future showed her a different path and she used it to prove her ability.

She held secretarial positions for the next few years, including at West Side Church in Ridgewood, where her boys were able to attend nursery school. Following the passing of her father - and with their third child on the way - Margaret, Bob, and their two boys joined her mother in her Wyckoff home, where they eventually raised four sons in a three-generation household.

Margaret’s next few chapters involved her family’s passion: education. After their youngest son arrived, Margaret finished her M.A. in Counseling from William Paterson College. She later helped shape the quality and course of education in the local school districts for the next decade-plus following her election to the Wyckoff Board of Education in 1980, as President of the Washington Elementary School PTO, as a member of the Executive Board of the Eisenhower Middle School PTO, and as President of the Ramapo HS APTS.

She deftly juggled home-front activities such as bandaging the inevitable wounds of rambunctious young boys, carrying on long telephone conversations, ruling with her “bionic” right arm, and, as an original minivan enthusiast, using “mom’s taxi” to be a “soccer mom” (before that term was coined), still finding the time to volunteer extensively. She made it look effortless, but the efforts were recognized. Most parents understand.

“Committed. Involved. Interested.” was Margaret’s school board re-election campaign slogan and no one was more so, as she served as Vice-President and later President. She was also on several ad hoc board committees, including as chair of legislative, education, policy, finance, and personnel.

With Ramapo HS’s APTS, she served non-consecutive terms as President. During that time, she diligently kept scrapbooks related to the Ramapo and Indian Hills, which she later donated to the district. Margaret was also the long-time Treasurer of the Wyckoff PTO Economy Shop, a consignment shop staffed wholly by volunteers for the benefit of local PTOs. Having been unsuccessful at coaxing her boys to clean up around the house, it was hardly viewed as nepotism when her sons were, in turn, hired to clean the shop as their first job.

Many parents are fortunate to attend their childrens’ graduations and promotions and witness the ceremonies. Not many parents are on the stage. But Margaret was often behind the podium or handing out diplomas - with a hug and kiss - to her children. Margaret was proud to have been able to do so … even if her sons joked that she graduated high school five times: once for herself and once with each of them!

For her service to the town and its schools, she was named Woman of the Year in 1987 by the Wyckoff Family YMCA. Noted in the banquet program as “a woman who has distinguished herself in the field of voluntarism. She is being honored … for her service and dedication to the people of Wyckoff” and was instrumental in co-founding the FLOW Follies variety show in 1986-87, which raised $15,000 in scholarships for the Ramapo/Indian Hills Regional High School.

This honor also drew the following corresponding recognitions: a Proclamation by the Township of Wyckoff; a Resolution by the Wyckoff Township Public Schools; a letter of congratulations from the President of the Bergen Council Boy Scouts of America; a Senate Resolution by the State of NJ; a Resolution by the Bergen County Office of Education; a letter from then-NJ Governor Tom Kean; and a letter from then-NJ Attorney General Cary Edwards, who wrote: “I have known you for many years and am well aware of your outstanding work in the areas of education and legislative initiatives.”

Other activities not to be overlooked include her membership on the Wyckoff YMCA Board of Directors, as a member of Pi Lambda Theta Education Honor Society, The American Personnel and Guidance Association, American Mensa Selection Agency, and the College Club of Ridgewood. For her time as Chair of Cub Scout Pack 198 in Wyckoff - in which each of her boys participated - she was honored with a plaque “in appreciation for devoted and untiring work” as an avid supporter.

As an empty-nester, she and Bob traveled to see their boys at college and in the varied and numerous locations where they lived afterwards. She also held several part-time jobs as time allowed, including at schools and banks, and continued to volunteer.

She read about one novel per week and loved to share her favorites in her annual Christmas letter, which she wrote each November and had ready for the mail by December 1. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she made sure the house was decorated accordingly. She cherished ornaments antique and annual, whimsical and sentimental. She played 8-track tapes as she decorated 11(!) trees of various sizes and adorned doorways with ribbons on which to hang Christmas cards received from friends with whom she stayed in touch throughout her lifetime.

Margaret made other holidays and birthdays special too. She received practically every catalog known, which she used to draw inspiration for her generous gift-giving style. She listened and took time to learn and understand people, which informed her innate ability to give gifts that were not only practical, but cherished keepsakes.

Margaret is survived by her loving husband of nearly 53 years, Robert B., of NJ; sons John R. (Kumi Tucker) of NY, and their daughter, Julia A. Craig; Scott W. (Danielle) of NJ; Todd A. of NJ; James W. (Jennifer) of NC, and their sons, Jameson D., and Greyson W., and her cherished dogs, Sammi and Gussie. She was predeceased by her parents John and Ethel in 1972 and 1988, respectively, as well as the many family dogs and cats she adopted and adored.

The family extends its love and gratitude to Margaret’s neighbors, friends, and colleagues who were a part of her life, and to the many healthcare professionals who looked after her over the past few months.

Visitation will take place at Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481, Wednesday, August 7, 1-4pm. Funeral will take place at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, 169 Fairmount Road, Ridgewood, NJ 07450, Wednesday, August 7, 7pm, followed by a repast. Interment will take place at Fair Lawn Memorial Cemetery in a family-only graveside service, Thursday, August 8.

In lieu of flowers, Margaret and her family request your support in her name to the North Shore Animal League, 25 Davis Ave, Port Washington, NY 11050, which she supported enthusiastically for many years; or to the Wyckoff PTO Economy Shop, 399 Main Street, Wyckoff, NJ 07481, by donating time, money, equipment, expertise, supplies, or any other resource to allow them to continue their mission.