Obituary of Margaret R. Krystyniak

Margaret R. Krystyniak, 103, of Acme passed away Tuesday May 5, 2026 at her residence.  Margie Rose was born June 4, 1922, in the small town of Violet, Cherokee County, North Carolina.  Margie was the ninth of ten children.  Most of her youth was growing up just over the state line from Violet in Farner, Tennessee.  At the age of five, her father suddenly died.  This meant her mother had to raise and support the children.  Her family was not financially comfortable and without their father, it was a struggle for everyone.

As Margie grew older, additional opportunities awaited her.  In the neighborhood was Bachman Orphanage run by the Presbyterian Church.  Margie had many friends that lived there.  She visited the orphanage quite often and was so impressed by the discipline and orderliness that she observed.  These experiences influenced how she wanted to live her life.

Margie graduated from Ducktown High School in 1941.  She applied for a nuring school scholarship via the Presbyterian Church.  She was disappointed when she did not receive it.  But as luck would have it, the recipient became ill with tuberculosis and the scholarship was awarded to Margie.  Margie believes that a guardian angel kept watch over her then and continues today.  She entered the Baroness-Erlanger School of Nursing in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Her mother was hesitant for her to leave because she needed help at home, but Margie felt this is what she needed to do to help the family.  She graduated from nursing school in 1944 and later worked in the Veteran’s Administration in Johnson City, Tennessee. 

Margie entered the U.S. Army Nurse Corp. as a second Lieutenant and did her basic training at Fort Rucker in Alabama.  She genuinely enjoyed the camaraderie with the other nurses.  They were so remarkably close and true friendships were formed for a lifetime.  In fact, she even named her daughter Patricia after two of those friends.

After Fort Rucker, she left for Camp Butner in Durham, NC.  World War II was raging in Europe.  Camp Butner received some of the injured soldiers specifically the ones from the Battle of the Bulge.  One of those young soldiers was Corporal John P. Krystyniak from Quarry Street in Mt. Pleasant, PA.  As fate would have it, Margie cared for John at the hospital, and they fell in love.  She married John on August 16, 1947, in Transfiguration Church in Mt. Pleasant.

After the military, John and Margaret settled in Mt. Pleasant.  John opened the Red and White Supermarket.  Margaret was a stay-at-home mom raising five children and helping at the store when she could.  As her children grew older, Margaret realized she needed more in her life.  She decided it was time to give back to her church and her community.  Because of the love she had for people, she joined as many organizations as she could and volunteered her time serving at the Frick Community Hospital, St. Raymond’s parish council, Christian Mothers, Barones-Erlanger Nurses’ Alumna, PTG, Clelian Heights, Saturday Afternoon Club, Mt. Pleasant American Legion Auxiliary, Donegal American Legion, and the Frick Retired Nurses.  Her faith in God and her guardian angel have given her an upbeat attitude. 

Margaret and John had five children: Theresa, and Patricia Murray (St. Dennis) of Colorado Springs, CO; her daughter-in-law, Kathryn Krystyniak; and her many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  In addition to her parents, Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, John P. Krystyniak; and her sons, John A., Mark, and Paul Krystyniak.

Family and friends will be received on Wednesday May 27^th from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Galone-Caruso Funeral Home Inc., Mt. Pleasant.  A Funeral Mass will be on Thursday May 28^th at 8:30 a.m. St. Raymond of the Mountain Parish, Donegal (Please go directly to church).  A private entombment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park, Bullskin Twp.  In lieu of flowers, Margaret requests donations to be made to Clelian Heights School, 135 Clelian Heights Lane, Greensburg, PA 15601.  To offer an online condolence, please visit our website at www.galone-carusofuneralhome.com

Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Margaret knows she is an inspiration to all, a lady with true class and dignity.  “Blessing in Abundance” that is Margaret’s trademark phrase at nearly 104 years old.  God Bless you Margaret!