Obituary of Marguerite DeForest

Marguerite Towne (Stout) (Thomas) DeForest passed away on September 6 in Cortland NY. Born in Cortland to Harry and Ruth Clements Towne, Marg was raised in Tully NY. She graduated from Tully Central Schools. She worked for the New York Telephone/Bell Telephone/Southern Bell and AT&T companies as a telephone operator in Cortland, Fort Lauderdale FL, and Syracuse NY, retiring in 1989. In post-retirement she worked for the City of Cortland as a school crossing guard and as a retail clerk at Chappell's.

Marg was predeceased by her husband, Sheldon DeForest, her parents, her sisters Mary Towne Greene and Doris Towne Foster, and brothers William Towne and Robert Lewis. She is survived by her children, Donald (Terry) Stout, Jr. of Mooresville, NC; Richard (Cindy) Stout of Cortland, NY ; Ruth Stout (Ronald) Case of Homer, NY ; Patricia Stout (Richard) Henry of Scottsville, VA; and Michael (Susan) Thomas of Endicott, NY. She is also survived by her stepsons Richard (Georgian) DeForest of Cortland, NY, David (Colleen) DeForest, Ted (Julie) DeForest, and Kevin (Elizabeth) DeForest. Marg is also survived by grandchildren—Jason (Shannon) Stout of Cortland; Rachael (Chad Thornton) Stout of Homer; Jeffrey (Rachel Parker) Stout of Homer; Kaila Stout (Hunter) Gurley of Raleigh, NC; Ryan (Alicia Elsenheimer) Stout of Raleigh, NC; Jessica Stout (Brent) Jewell of Linville, NC; Matthew (Andrea) Henry of Cazenovia, NY; Shawn (Stephanie) Henry of Cazenovia, NY; Katie Henry (Blair) Brown of Colorado Springs, CO; Aaron and Taylor Thomas of Endicott, NY; Nicholas (Laura) DeForest of Niles, OH; Rebecca DeForest (Justin) Guernsey of Cortland NY, great-grandchildren Olivia and Emma Stout, Tyden Thornton, Jade and Kylie Stout, Avery and Rowen Gurley; Riley Jewell; Audrey and Samuel Henry; Claire and Evan Henry; Zoe Bofman; Brianna DeForest; Colten Guernsey; and also several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchilden.

Marg was extremely involved in her genealogy, and spent many years researching family history. She also enjoyed playing bingo, cards, and computer mahjong. But most of all she loved her family, and people in general. She was a kind and caring soul who had a smile for everyone she met.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, September 9 from 10 am to noon at Wright-Beard Funeral Home, 9 Lincoln Ave., Cortland NY. A funeral service will immediately follow the calling hours at noon at the funeral home.

The family wishes to thank all the wonderful staff at Cortland Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, particularly Parkside Unit, for their compassionate care of "Peggy". Their kindness and love for Peg was very comforting. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research, Donation Processing, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 or the Caring Community Hospice, 11 Kennedy Parkway, Cortland, NY 13045.