FARMINGTON – Marguerite L. VanTassel, 103, of Farmington, passed away Saturday, April 25, at Edgewood Rehabilitation and Living Center.

She was born Feb. 18, 1906, in Industry, the daughter of Millard and Gertrude (Taylor) Rackliff. She attended school in Farmington and went on to work at many local businesses including canning factories, Forster’s, Bass Shoe and Farmington Shoe.

She went on to operate a second-hand shop that she and her late husband Vaughn VanTassel started. The shop started by selling dishes and expanded into baby clothes and furniture, and then fine linens. She also started selling her handmade rugs in the 1960s, and then larger furniture when her husband, Van, died in 1985.

Generations of families from all over the country and beyond have furnished their camps and homes with furniture and rugs from her shop. She enjoyed going to auctions and flea markets, and loved going on long rides.

She most of all enjoyed visiting with her grandchildren and children who will miss her greatly and loved her deeply.

Survivors include three children, Kenneth “Spider” Durrell Jr. and his wife, Marion, of Farmington, Leila Sharlow of Florida, and Pauline Fortier of New York; 10 grandchildren, Randy Fortier, Stuart Durrell, Debbie Stanley, Sandra Weister, Steve Durrell, Duane Sharlow, Renee Sharlow, Denise Noyes, Lois Yager and Donna Williams; 16 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and 10 half brothers and sisters.

She was predeceased by three sisters, Sarah Sprague, Ida Tracy and Josephine Maxim; and a brother, Lewis Rackliff.

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