Obituary of Margaret M. Morin

Our mother, Margaret M. Morin (nee Murphy), 86, of Amity Harbor, NY and formerly of Great River, NY, died peacefully surrounded by all of her children during a brief stay at Good Samaritan Hospital on June 28, 2017, having suffered a stroke a year earlier. On May 19, 1931, she was born at New York Hospital to Margaret F. Murphy, with whom she shared her birthday, and to George F. Murphy of Belle Harbor N.Y. “Peggy” as she has always been known to most, or “Murph” as she was known to many life-long childhood friends, grew up in a sturdy red-brick house on Beach 126th Street with younger brother, George F. Murphy Jr., who predeceased her in 2016. Many cherished aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends frequented their home where every day seemed to be a celebration and they all enjoyed their time spent with one another and lived life to the fullest. She had a wonderful childhood and was loved and adored tremendously. She often spoke of her aunts and uncles and her recollection of Aunt Chloe's peach ice cream and staying at 132nd St. during the summertimes growing up in Belle Harbor. Peggy attended school at St. Francis De Sales in Belle Harbor and then went on to graduate from St. Agnes Academic High School in Queens. She then attended a business school in NYC, then became a Secretary in New York City for Prince Matchabelli perfumery and met her friend, Barbara “BB” Bennett with whom she remained friends until her death several years ago. Shortly after, she met and married James H. Morin and together they had five children. After her children were grown she worked in retail for Macy's in Bays Shore for nearly 30 years. She enjoyed reading and knitting and scouring the newspapers for interesting articles that were handed to you in a tidy folder. Her life was centered around all of her children and she was our center. Early on she followed daughter Gina's equestrian career and attended all of her riding events throughout the decades. She was able to pick a Derby winner simply by a name that caught her attention. Watching granddaughter Georgia ride horses in the last few years was a thrill and when visiting son Mike in NYC, she was treated like a queen, sitting bundled up watching grandson Michael play baseball, or likewise visiting daughter Maureen in Massachusetts watching grandsons Daniel and Matthew play basketball games which were eventually live-streamed to her bedside in recent months when she could no longer attend. She would watch grandson Kevin Jr. play soccer in what seemed like hurricane force East End winds. She always was ready for an adventure and had suitcase in hand and quite adaptable to say the least. Something we are all very grateful for was when she was welcomed into son Jimmy's home where she resided up until her illness and was in good hands. She was a part of everything in and anything in which we participated or celebrated. Mom lived and breathed all of us. She would sit for hours enjoying every minute watching any of her children or grandchildren in a variety of things we were doing at any given time and was always a welcomed “common denominator” in everything we did throughout our lives. She was always happily and genuinely interested, involved and present. If people are born with a purpose, she went above and beyond her purpose on this earth to be the most loving, loyal mother any person could ever ask for. In addition to by many fondly remembered friends and relatives, she is survived by her children: Regina, Maureen (Dave), Jimmy, Michael (Dianne), Meg (Kevin) and five grandchildren: Matthew, Daniel, Michael, Kevin and Georgia, who expanded her heart by 10 feet. “She was so many things to all of us and we were most fortunate in this life to have such an outstanding, dedicated mother. We love you, Mom. Your absence is already evident in so many ways. But your presence will be honored and remembered by all of us with the fullest of hearts. Remember to call us when you get home.