Obituary of Margaret Ann Rafferty

Margaret Ann Rafferty Sidney, NY Margaret Ann (Sajtlava) Rafferty, 101, peacefully entered into eternal life on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at Chestnut Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Oneonta, NY. She was born to Joseph and Mary (Stangel) Sajtlava on February 2, 1913 in Hoboken, NJ and married Daniel Joseph Rafferty on October 20, 1932 in Ridgefield, NJ. After their marriage, she continued working as a telephone operator for New Jersey Bell, became an at home mom and later worked for Chenango Unadilla Telephone Company. While a Sidney resident Margaret pursued her love of fashion by becoming the owner and operator of Patti Fashions. Her high end ladies apparel shop served the Sidney community for over 20 years. As a businesswoman, Margaret was a member of the Sidney and Delaware County Chambers of Commerce. She enjoyed cooking, knitting, crocheting, gardening and bowling. Margaret loved to share her homemade soups with family, friends and neighbors. Shoppers at the Sacred Heart Fall Festival looked forward to her handmade newborn sweaters with the zippers in the back. Her passion for bowling truly lasted a lifetime as she celebrated her 101st birthday with a bowling party provided by of the Chestnut Park activities department. Margaret was a member of the Sacred Heart Rosary Society since the 1940's. Deeply devoted to the Blessed Mother, she carried on the tradition passed down from her mother of reciting the Rosary every day at 3:00pm. Margaret shared her life with her son, Daniel Philip and his wife, Margarita of Kill Devil Hills, NC; daughter, Patricia and her husband, Robert D. Smith of Sidney, NY; grandchildren, Jeffrey and Timothy Rafferty of Virginia Beach, Va.; Michael Rafferty and his wife, Edy of Bullville, NY; Kisten Giglio and her husband, Anthony of Norwich, NY; Daniel Smith and his wife, Tonia of Herndon, Va. She is also survived by her great grandchildren; Kaitlyn and Megan Rafferty, Talon and Tambria Schroeder, Matthew Giglio, Owen and Colby Smith. She was predeceased by her parents, husband and siblings-Joseph, Mary, John, Helen, Charles and Mildred. Friends are invited to call on Monday, January 12th from 4-6pm at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main Street, Sidney. Rev. Gordon Polenz will officiate at a Mass of Christian burial celebrating the life of Margaret, the oldest parishioner, at Sacred Heart Church, 15 Liberty Street in Sidney on Tuesday, January 13th at 11:00am. Interment will be at Prospect Hill Cemetery in the spring. Gifts in memory of Margaret may be made to Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820, The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave., N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017, Sacred Heart Church or by praying a Hail Mary. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the entire staff at Chestnut Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for the years of exceptional care they provided. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.