July 31, 1928 – February 24, 2023
Margie Batchelder, daughter of the late Coleman J. Donahue, Jr. and Anne Newman Donahue departed for her “big trip,” as she always called it, on February 24, 2023. Margie was the devoted sister of the late Patsy Berridge of New Hampshire who predeceased her in 1991 and the late Anne Emma of North Carolina who predeceased her in 2022. She was the beloved mother of Martha Bilodeau and her husband Dr. John Bilodeau of Palm Beach Gardens, FL. She was an incredibly adoring and wonderful Nana to two granddaughters, Jennifer Morgan and her husband Mike and Jill Dillon and her husband John. Margie was also a doting great grandmother to Ned Morgan (21), Eric Morgan (18), Cecelia Marguerite Dillon (13) and Lydia Dillon (11). She is also survived by loving nieces and nephews and their children.
Margie was proud to be a resident of Reading for more than 90 years. She graduated from Reading High in 1946 and continued to enjoy reunions with classmates well into their 80s. She enjoyed many trips abroad with her traveling friends, was a former member of the Reading Society of Craftsmen, an active member of the Church of the Good Shepherd and a retired employee of Verizon.
The grace and dignity with which Margie lived her life was matched only by her quick wit and love of a good joke. She was extremely creative and produced a large collection of beautiful stained glass pieces which are still displayed in the homes of many family and friends. Margie was incredibly handy, and loved her red tool box and taking care of the house where she lived for more than 50 years. Margie’s life will continue to serve as an example of decorum and kindness to all who knew and loved her.
A funeral service celebrating Margie’s life will be held on Monday, March 6, 2023 at the Church of the Good Shepherd 95 Woburn St. Reading at 10:30am. Burial will follow at Forest Glen Cemetery in Reading. A visitation will held prior to the service at the church from 10:00 to 10:30am
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Reading Food Pantry (6 Salem Street, Reading, MA 01867 or www.readingfoodpantry.com) or by purchasing a Book of Remembrance at the Church of the Good Shepherd (95 Woburn Street, Reading, MA 01867 or www.goodshepherdreading.org) in her honor.
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