FARMINGTON – Margaret H. Sear, 87, of Farmington, Maine, formerly of Mays Landing, N.J., passed peacefully, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by loving family on the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013.
She was born March 6, 1926, in Northfield, N.J., a daughter of Harlan Lemoines and Rebecca May (Ireland) Hollenbeck. She attended schools in New Jersey and on Dec. 10, 1945, married James Earl Sear. He predeceased her on Nov. 21, 1988.
Margaret was a woman who lived her faith. She was a graduate of the Garden State Bible School and was a former member of the Cardiff Baptist Church and the Faith Bible Baptist Church. She nurtured her love of music by being involved in the church choirs and found great joy in her women’s fellowships meetings that she hosted at her home, as well as serving as a Sunday School teacher for many years. While living in Maine, she attended the New Hope Baptist Church.
She loved to travel, particularly with a group of friends self-named “The Grannies” and enjoyed many wonderful times with family and friends at her camp “Pine Point” in Maine.
She was a former 4-H leader, enjoyed canning and preserving fruits and vegetables. Throughout her lifetime, her pets (canine companions), always held a special place in her heart.
She is loved by her children: Barbara Alice Brown and her husband, Thomas of Glade Hill, Virginia; Rebecca Margaret Wetzel of Farmington, Maine; Harry James Sear and his wife, Kathy of Mays Landing, NJ; sister, Rebecca Mae Slotterback of EHT, NJ; grandchildren: Betty “Bitsy” Sachs, James Edward Wetzel, Stacey Anne Conover, Jennifer Rebecca Sear, Michael C. Sear, Thomas William Sear and his wife, Donna; Katherine Margaret Sear, D. “Nick” Palmentieri; great-grandchildren: Amanda K. Ainscough and her husband, Scott; Joel T. Sachs, Caitlin L. Sachs, Margaret “Maggie” Morgan-Wetzel, Brandon C. Sear, Gabrielle D. Sear, Emily A. Poley, William B. Poley, Devon A. Williams, Nathan J. Williams, Thomas W. Sear and Arial P. Sear; and newborn great-great grandson, Miles R. Ainscough; very special sisters-in-law, Alice (Pete) Fleming, Alice (Hollenbeck) Penrod and Lucy Hollenbeck, many special nieces and nephews and her “long distance family” from Washington state, all of whom held a very special place in her heart.
She was predeceased by her parents; husband; daughter Betty Marie Wood, son, James Harry Sear; “special son” George D. Selleck; grandson Ronald Wayne Sear and brothers Harlan Lemoines Hollenbeck and George Fields Hollenbeck.
Family and friends are invited to call at the Adams-Perfect Funeral Home, 1650 New Road (Rt. 9) Northfield, NJ on Tuesday evening, Sept. 3, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. Committal services to follow at the Laurel Memorial Cemetery in Pomona, NJ. Remembrance gifts may be given to either the Alzheimers Association PO Box 96011 Washington, D.C. 20090-6011 or to Pilgrim Academy-Margaret H. Sear Scholarship 301 W. Moss Mill Rd. Galloway Twp., NJ 08205. Tributes and condolences may be shared on her memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com. Local arrangements are in the care of the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd., (Rtes. 2 & 27) Farmington.
She was a sweet lady…..thoughts and prayers going out to Becky, Jamie and the rest of her family.
Tracy & I send our condolences to the Sear family. Thoughts go out to Becky & Jamie.
Sorry for your loss when she came to temple with her family it always made the community brighter rest in peace Linda and Chris and Sonny