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TR Jetty Funeral Home, Clayton NY

TR Jetty Funeral Home, Clayton NY

7/23/2022 – Margaret H. Gailey Schell, LaFargeville

Mrs. Margaret H. Gailey Schell, 90, passed away at her home on Thursday, July 21st.

She was born on October 21st, 1931, in Watertown, the daughter of Fred K. Gailey and Clementine Snyder Gailey. After the death of her mother at age 11, she was raised by her Aunt/Step-Mother, Julia Snyder Gailey.

She graduated from LaFargeville High School in 1949. She then attended and graduated from Russell Sage College in Troy, NY, with a BS degree.

She married her lifelong love, Douglas M. Schell, son of Emmett and Margaret Dorr Schell, at Pine Camp/Camp Drum/Fort Drum, on December 27th, 1952. Douglas passed away on October 15th, 2009, at their home.

Margaret was a lifelong member of St. John’s Catholic Church in LaFargeville, and was a member of the LaFargeville American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. After the passing of her father, she took on his job as President of the Grove Cemetery Association in LaFargeville. Having resigned after many years, to become an honorary trustee until her death.

As the years passed on, her diagnoses of COPD robbed her of a lot of the activities she once enjoyed. She enjoyed shopping, and “catching a quick bite to eat,” flowers, reading, puzzles, and doing crossword puzzles, for hours on end. Margaret found much comfort from her dachshund Peggy, and latter her kitty, Sylvestor. All they wanted was her attention and her love. After Doug’s retirement, they purchased a Winter getaway in Florida which was an enjoyment for them both, until Doug’s health deteriorated.

Margaret felt a close and loving relationship with her Catholic faith and God. Her rosary and prayer would see her through anything that life would throw at her.

Margaret was blessed as a child with two loving sisters, Judy (Marcus) Gailey Nellis of Dexter, as well as, Blanche (Michael) Gailey Colello of Collins Landing. She shared a lot of good memories with both of them.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband, daughter Lisa K. Schell (deceased at age 9), aunts, uncle, cousins, and one nephew.

She leaves behind two children, Kimberly (Kim) Schell Fitchette, Scott (Karen) Schell, all of LaFargeville; four granddaughters, Tiffany (Troy Beach) Fitchette, Nicole (Justin) Fitchette Hotis, Stephanie (Rodney) McCready, and Emily (Tylor) Meeks; four great grandchildren, Nolan and Norah Hotis, Owen Beach, and Brinley Meeks; nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Service will be private at the convenience of the family. A final resting place will be in Grove Cemetery in LaFargeville.

Donations can be made in her name to the Grove Cemetery Association in LaFargeville, or the SPCA in Watertown.

Margaret will be deeply missed by her family and while her loss will leave an incredible hole in our hearts, we will try to fill it with our precious memories.

“Youth fades; love droops; the leaves of friendships fall; A Mothers secret hope outlives them all” – Oliver Wendall Holmes

Thank you Mom for everything and “Toodle-OO” (Goodbye, so long), until we meet again, later.

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Condolences

  1. I remember fondly babysitting for Kim and Kim at her parents place (Doug and Margaret) on the “hill” in LaFargville. All we’re very good to me! Great people and wonderful kids to care for. So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to all at this difficult time. Lori Schaber-Drake.

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      • So sorry to hear of Margaret’s passing… I will always remember her attending mass at St. John’s… the back row over to the right as you walk into the church. I am so sad to hear she is no longer with us.
        My sympathies to all of you..
        Especially thinking of you Kim..
        Love Rita Walldroff

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        • Mom so missed her St. John’s “family”, after the church closed. Thank you so much for thinking of us.

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  3. I babysat for Kim and Kim on the “hill” at Dough and Margaret’s home in LaFargeville on several occasions. The Schell’s were all very gracious to me. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

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  4. Margaret and Doug along with both the Schell and Gailey families were wonderful friends of our Fisher family for years in LaFargeville. In Margaret’s younger years she was our babysitter/nanny. What a fantastic, wonderful lady she was. Our entire family thought the world of both Margaret and Doug. On behalf of my family I send our deepest condolences to Margaret’s family for their sad loss. However the wonderful memories of years ago will always stay with us. RIP, dear Lady, you were the Best of the Best.

    Very sadly written, James Fisher on behalf of our entire family.

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  5. I will miss my Aunt “Punch” Margaret. I always will remember her for her hospitality and her loving spirit.
    Hugs to all my cousins ❤️

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  6. Kim&Kim , Scott &Karen , this page would not be large enough to tell you of all the special times many of us had with your parents . The great times and some we had to help each other over the hump . Margaret rescued me from the creek after Bob took us in the water , so much fun ! Card parties , cook outs , camp , snowmobile trips , teaching our kids . Margaret was one in a million, fly high .

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  7. Growing up two houses down from your family was a great gift. I have always thought so much of the Schell family. It was always good to see Margaret out shopping and it seems it was always in TJ Maxx we would run into her and Kim. So sorry for your loss.

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  9. A great woman and friend of our family who will be sorely missed in the community. Sue and I send our thoughts to her family. A real loss.

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  10. We go way back. Some 50 years plus. From staying at the house in the late 60’s and early 70’s, to having both your Dad and Mom as clients for many years. End of an era. Your Mom was a good woman with a great sense of humor and a twinkle in her eye. May she rest in peace.

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  11. I was always so fond of Margaret. She was my second grade teacher. I always remember the twinkle in her eyes when dealing with us small children. I felt an affectionate feeling way back then. Such a great lady that raised her own children very well. Love and hugs to you all. May she rest now. Jerry and Jacinta

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  13. Scott and Kim, So sorry for the passing of your mother, may she now be at peace. Pam and Frank Getman

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  14. My sincere condolences to all family members and friends. Mrs. Schell was among those considered a pillar of our community devoting her time and generosity for the betterment of all.

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  15. Margaret was such a wonderful lady and such an awesome “Gigi” to my beautiful grandkids, and I know they loved her dearly. She will be greatly missed by many people. Heaven definitely gained an Angel, and she will be watching over you all every day. Hugs and prayers and our heartfelt condolences to you all!

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  16. My first memory of Mrs. S was as our substitute teacher in kindergarten. She was very kind & comforting for we little ones. Through the years, she always spoke to kids she had in school or knew through her children. She will be greatly missed but the community, but I know she & Doug are once again together. Deepest sympathy to her whole family at this time.

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  17. So sorry for the loss of your mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. What a wonderful lady she was. Rest in peace Mrs. Schell.

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  19. Mrs. Schell was my second grade teacher as well. She always had a beautiful smile and kind words. I remember her with great fondness. Thoughts and prayers to family and friends.

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  20. I’m sorry for your loss she was a good neighbor to after my husband passed just love the talks we had. i remember her smile and how she loved to visit. she will be missed

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  21. Nicole and family, I know how much you loved Gigi, and I’m sure she will be missed greatly.
    Hold her memories in your heart. Love and sympathy to all, Ruth Desimone

    “If there ever comes a day
    when we can’t be together,
    Keep me in your heart.
    I’ll stay there forever!”

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  24. Dear family,
    Am so sorry for the loss of your mom. Those fond memories will always be with you giving you peace. God bless all.

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  25. Our family sends love and comfort to you during a very sad time. Margaret was a woman of great strength and faith. I know her love for her family was endless and her family was very blessed to share wonderful times together. Rest In Peace Margaret.

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  26. So sorry to read of your moms passings. I just found out tonight. She and Doug always welcomed me with a smile and treated me like family. I can’t say enough on how wonderful she was . Spent quite a bit of time there in my younger yrs. May all those memories that Scott and Kim have help to keep her close.

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  27. Karen and Scott,

    Our condolences for your Mom.

    Hold on to all your loving memories.

    Teresa and Russ Gallup

    Reply

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