Obituary of Margaret Abramowitz

Her name was Margaret Ann, but the lifelong Mt. Pleasant resident always preferred Peggy. Over time, though, Peggy Abramowitz became Mom Mom, first to her cherished grandchildren, then to their friends and, finally, to just about everyone close to her. Mom Mom's circle of friends and loved ones is vast and mostly overlapping, and now everyone within it is mourning her death. But while those she left behind Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, are draped in sadness, Mom Mom has moved on to the most glorious of reunions. Mom Mom has always been certain of heaven and the knowledge she will spend eternity with those who have passed out of her life and those who will follow her to a paradise free of pain and suffering, a place where the air is sweet and where she will never again struggle to draw it into once-ailing lungs. While she fought to stay in this world, surrounded by beloved family and friends, Mom Mom longed to once more see her husband, parents, grandparents, brother, the infant sister she never met and so many others who have passed on in her 78 years. Margaret Ann Miller Abramowitz was born May 23, 1933, in Mt. Pleasant, Pa., a daughter of the late Charles Sr. and Gladys Miller - Cheese and Emmaline. A proud member of the Ramsay High School Class of 1952, she loved to gather with classmates and never, ever missed a reunion. A Bobcat majorette, she could still twirl her baton at lightning speed into her late 60s. And she remained ever certain that Ramsay majorettes had better legs than those of their counterparts at Hurst and East Huntingdon high schools. Although she spent time peddling produce at the Ye Olde Banana House and childrens' clothing at the Julianne Shop, Mom Mom was a wife, daughter, sister, aunt and mother first. She was all about fun, but defended her children with great zeal when threatened. Often declaring that she would never leave Mt. Pleasant, Mom Mom savored hot dogs with mustard and onions at the firemen's fair and chocolate milkshakes - really thin - from the Candyland. She is survived by four children, Joe Abramowitz and his wife, Roxanne, of Connellsville; Jaynette Brown and her husband, Randy, of Connellsville; Jill Way and her husband, Ron, who, together, cared for Mom Mom in their Mt. Pleasant home -- around the clock -- as time clicked down; and Jeff Abramowitz and his wife, Stephanie Vegoda, of Bear Rocks; one brother, Charles Miller Sr., of Mt. Pleasant Township; six grandchildren, Lindsay, Laura, Abbey and Shelby Way and Rebekah and Sarah Abramowitz; one great-grandson, Quincy; several nieces, nephews and cousins; a sister-in-law, Charlotte Abramowitz, of Doylestown, Pa.; two special friends who were as close to Mom Mom as her grandchildren, Morgan Baughman and Maria Gaudiano; Linda Kaputa, a family friend long before she became the respiratory therapist who helped Mom Mom find air to breathe through many difficult nights; and her constant canine companion, Friendly. In addition to her parents, Mom Mom was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Donald "Isher" Abramowitz; a sister, Elizabeth Miller, a brother, George Miller; four sisters-in-law, Geraldine and Marie Miller, Emogene Prager and Minnie Abramowitz; three brothers-in-law, Benjamin and Harry Abramowitz and Tom Prager; and a cousin who lived with her parents, Richard Gilcrest. Mom Mom loved her family and people in general, especially children. No physician ever cared more effectively for Mom Mom as little Quincy in his "doctor suit." As a Mt. Pleasant Area school director, she fought first for the welfare and education of students, particularly those with special needs she believed were not being fulfilled. She is a member of the Church of the Brethren in Mt. Pleasant. Mom Mom's needs were few - her greatest moments were those in which her entire family was gathered together. She had one vice, cigarettes, although her children might argue that overly sweet tea, orange "pop," Pepsi and, lately, lo mein should be added to the list. As for the former, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the American Lung Association National Headquarters, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 800. Washington, DC 20004. A public memorial will be conducted at a later date when all members of Mom Mom's family can attend., Arrangements have been entrusted to the Galone-Caruso Funeral Home, 204 Eagle Street , Mt. Pleasant, PA