Obituary of Margaret R. Schell
Margaret R. Schell (nee Moder) of Mountain Lakes, NJ passed away peacefully in her husband Tom’s embrace on Saturday morning, October 26, 2024. She was 74.
Margo, as she was known, was born in January 1950 in Chicago, IL to Edward Moder, Jr. and Margaret (Kelly) Moder. Evidently, Margo was fated to meet Tom Schell. They were born in the same hospital (St. Anne’s, since closed) and attended by the same nurse and physician one year and eight months apart.
Margo deeply loved her brothers, Ed and Tim, and her sister, Pat. They were raised in a beautiful expansive house on 3 1/2 acres that her father (a Master Electrician) built in Elk Grove Village, IL. She was a proud member of the 4-H Club (head, heart, hands, and health). Margo graduated from Holy Ghost Grammar School and Sacred Heart of Mary High School in Rolling Meadows, IL. She was a very talented artist and studied fine arts at the University of Illinois in Champaign – Urbana, where she met Tom.
Margo and Tom were married in August 1972 and celebrated 52 years of marriage this year. They moved to Chatham, NJ in 1981. She was a devoted stay at home mother, which made a huge difference in the quality of her sons’ lives. In 1998, they moved to Convent Station and lived there until moving to Mountain Lakes in 2006. Later, Margo’s career included positions with Met Life and local businesses as a secretary.
Margo’s greatest passion was her children, Ben and Bob. She would do anything for them. When Bob was in grade school, he came home crying one day, telling Margo that he was very sad because she was going to die if she didn’t quit smoking. Margo quit smoking cold turkey that day - she threw out what she had and never touched another cigarette in her life. She was extremely proud that both sons graduated college with honors.
Margo’s interests included cross stitching, photography, bowling, playing board games and Farkle; playing tennis and paddle ball at the Minisink Club. She always enjoyed going to the US Open tennis tournament. Margo loved her boxers, Mugs and Samson. Later in life, she became deeply devoted to Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Her adopted Corgi, Baxter, enjoyed ten years in her loving care.
Margo also enjoyed cheering for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears. She was a bit superstitious -she thought she was bad luck for the Bears sometimes and would stand outside the room when they were driving downfield.
Margo enjoyed trips abroad to the Canary Islands, Paris, London and Italy, but her favorite vacations were to Newport, RI, where she loved to have her sons and grandchildren visit. Nothing gave her more pleasure than being closely involved in her grandchildren’s lives. She will be dearly missed by all.
Predeceased by her parents and her brother, Tim Moder; Margo is survived by her beloved husband, Tom; her cherished sons and their families – Ben Schell, his wife, Christine, and their children, Evan and Julia; and Bob Schell, his wife, Ellen and their children, Hannah, Kate and Amelia; her loving siblings, Edward Moder, III and his wife, Connie; and Patricia Benson and her husband, Steve; her niece, Becky Moder and her partner, Robbie; as well as many friends and extended family.
Services will be private and were arranged with Codey & Mackey Funeral Home of Boonton. To share condolences and memories with the family, please visit CodeyMackeyFHcom.
