FALMOUTH – Marguerite E. Howard, 86, of Hartford, died Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Falmouth by the Sea with family at her side.

She was born in Livermore, the daughter of Oscar and Gertrude (Hewey) Hardy, and graduated from Canton High School, class of 1938. She had been employed by SAD 39 for 25 years; upon her retirement the school cafeteria was named “Marguerite’s Place.”

She was a homemaker and operated a farm with her husband, Vernon A. Howard, who predeceased her in January 1969. She will be fondly remembered as a loving mother and grandmother. She took pride in her garden and sharing its abundance with her friends and family. She enjoyed making others smile and laugh.

Family and friends will fondly remember the wonderful home cooked meals and favorite desserts she served with love. At home on the farm, she enjoyed beautiful views of the western Maine foothills and shared her love of nature, especially birds, monarch butterflies and ladybugs.

She was a member of the East Sumner, Oxford County Pomona and Maine State Grange; was 1st matron, secretary and life member of Mountain View Chapter 197 O.E.S. of Buckfield. She was an active member and elder of the Hartford Community Church.

She is survived by two daughters, Anne E. Moore and her husband, Martin, of Fitchburg, Mass., and Jeanne G. King and her husband, John, of Grand Ledge, Mich.; one son, John E. Howard and his wife, Linda, of Cumberland Foreside; six grandchildren, Alan, Andrew and Roger Moore, and Jennifer, Jessica and Sarah Howard; and five great-grandchildren.