AUBURN – Margaret C. Avery, 87, of Auburn, died Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn. She had been a resident at Clover Manor in Auburn since 2019. Born in Norwich, England on August 28, 1936, she was the youngest of five daughters of Cecil H. and Katherine Phelan Smith. Educated in the Colman Schools in Norwich, an education often interrupted by air raid sirens during World War II. She came to the U.S. on the Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 16, following two of her older sisters to Chicago, where she met the love of her life, David W. Avery, at a dance. They were married at St. Wenceslaus Church in Chicago on October 22, 1966. She worked in the insurance industry and for the National Safety Council until David’s career led them to return to his home state of Maine In 1968, working for the Maine Central Railroad. The young family lived in various locations until 1975 when they settled in Auburn, and Margaret cared for the neighbor’s children while raising her own. Active in her community, she was a longtime volunteer for Maine Right to Life. In some of her spare time she loved to knit sweaters for her grandchildren. Some of her great grandchildren were fortunate to wear some of her creations.

Survivors include a son, Thomas Avery and wife Diane, two daughters, Karen and husband Robert Hall Jr., and Anna and husband Richard Bissonnette, nine grandchildren, James Avery and wife Meghan, Heather and husband Nick Langlais, Katie Avery-Hurd and wife Erica, Samantha and husband James Vachon, Jennifer Hall and partner Morgan Noonan, David Hall, Amanda Bissonette, Aaron Bissonette and girlfriend Mikelle Kearnes, and Krista and husband Joe York, six great-grandchildren, Maverick, Dilynne and Jagger Avery, Easton and Maddox Langlais, and Owen Hall, and a brother in law Edward Avery.

She also is survived by several nieces and nephews, including Kathy Schruba and husband David, Mary Hahn and husband Jim, Theresa Volkman and husband Jerry, Martin Durbin and wife Diane, John Barker and wife Danielle, and Elizabeth Brown and husband Ray.

Besides her parents, Margaret was predeceased by her husband David, who passed away on May 25, 2023, and her four sisters and their husbands. The family would like to thank the staff at Clover Manor (Donegal) for the great care they provided to our parents, and to the staff at Androscoggin Hospice House for the care they provided to our mom during her last journey on this earth. The kindness that you gave to us meant so much.

Online condolences and fond memories may be shared on Margaret’s memorial page at http://www.albert-burpee.com. Visitation will be held at the Albert & Burpee Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., followed by a funeral service at Sacred Heart Church, 11 a.m. Interment, Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Albert & Burpee Funeral Home & Cremation Services 253 Pine St. Lewiston, 782-7201.

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