Obituary of Margaret Elizabeth Alexander

Canton-

Margaret E. “Maggie” Alexander, 93 of State Highway 68, Canton died Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg.

Graveside services (tentatively in the spring) will be held in Fairview Cemetery, Canton with Rev. Michael P. Catanzaro officiating.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Elsie Lucy Norton, Canton College Scholarship and Presbyterian Church in Canton

Maggie was born February 25, 1930 in the Town of Canton a daughter to Charles and Elsie (Cole) Norton, one of ten children.  She attended the one-room schoolhouse at Woodbridge Corners, School District #7 until entering Canton High School.  She furthered her education at Canton College ATI earning a degree in Food Service.

On September 10, 1949 she married Charles H. “Charlie” Alexander in the First Presbyterian Church of Canton.  The couple were married 72 years.  Charlie passed November 25, 2021.

Maggie first took employment at the hospital in Canton in the Dietary Department; she then worked at Canton Central School in the Cafeteria and also worked in health services, as a hospice volunteer and providing homecare for nine years.

The couple bought the one-room schoolhouse where she went to school and they converted into their home.  They raised two daughters, a son, as well as two nieces.

She enjoyed harvesting and canning vegetables, she loved to bake, cook and sew, as well as, tending to her large flower beds and antiquing.  She also loved to read (owned thousands of books), write poetry and worked diligently maintaining the Norton Cemetery.  She was a 4-H leader, and taught Sunday School at First Presbyterian Church, collected stamps and coins and square dancing with Charlie.

Margaret enjoyed a special time in Alaska in 1976 for a month, which was a highlight of her life, and one she loved to speak of and share her experiences with friends and family.

Surviving are daughter Christine (Mike) Whitman of Colton; daughter Rebekah “Becky” (Roc E) McDaniel of Henderson, NV; son Charles “Chuck” (Angelique) Alexander of Timonium, MD; two nieces, Linda VanOrder of Moyock, NC and Jacqueline (Clint) Crabtree of Oak Island, NC; four grandchildren - Michael Whitman, Michelle Whitman, John Alexander and Margaret Alexander; a great-grandson Korben Jones; and sister Shirley Best of Canton.

She was predeceased by two brothers Charles and Mills Norton and six sisters Lucy Granowitz, Leona Deal, Lenora Morgan, Muriel Norton and Sally Hansen. 

 Maggie’s care and arrangements are with Lawrence Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Canton, NY.  Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.lawrencefuneralhome.org