Margaret Bernadette McLaughlin Gioffre passed away peacefully on January 14, 2021, following a trying struggle with Alzheimer’s.  Margie has joined her late husband, Joe Gioffre, who passed away several months ago after 69 years of marriage.  Margie is survived by five children, Frank Gioffre (Marydee), Nancy Gioffre, Joanne Morrison, Michael Gioffre (Carol), Greg Gioffre, as well as nineteen grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren.  She is also predeceased by her siblings, Betty Whitford (Johnny), Joe Boy (Lee), Mary Raulie (Chuck), Ellen Deal (Edward), and Ann DiGennaro (DiGi).

On July 20, 1931, Margie was born into a very Irish family on North Connell Street in Wilmington, Delaware, where her parents worked hard in difficult circumstances to make a nice home.  She learned early in life that family was most valuable and most important.  Margie continued to impart this lesson through her words and actions to the generations of family that followed her.  At age 19, she married the love of her life, Joe Gioffre, and they raised a family in Wilmington together.  Margie was a devoted and hardworking mother, and she was blessed to live the life that she wanted.  While raising a family was the most important thing in Margie’s life, her everlasting legacy was in her role as Mom Mom.  At age 45, she became a grandmother, and she celebrated the rapid growth of her large family throughout the rest of her life.  She constantly reminded all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren how special they were and that they must remain true to themselves.

Margie lived in Wilmington throughout her long and fulfilled life.  She was a student at St. Paul’s School as well as Wilmington High School, where she was valedictorian.  Margie volunteered with the Junior Board of St. Francis Hospital, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, Women’s Guild at St. Edmond’s Academy, and Career Center at Salesianum School.  Margie was a woman of modest means.  It was nearly impossible to separate her from her home in Galewood.  She also enjoyed spending time in nearby Ocean City, NJ, where she made countless memories at the beach with her family and friends.

Margie’s personality was gold.  Her sense of humor ranged from biting sarcasm to silly quips.  She loved to laugh and have fun, and those sentiments were contagious around the family table.  Margie had an unwavering faith in God, and she comfortably relied upon her faith throughout her long life.  She prayed thoughtfully and meaningfully.  St. Francis de Sales remarked, “Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.”  Margie embodied these ideals, and she was an example of limitless strength and gentleness to those around her.  Her family is grateful that she is at peace, though her presence will be remembered forever.

Due to COVID-19, services will be held privately at this time.  A celebration of Margie’s life will be held with a Catholic Mass at a later date, notice of which will be posted in the News Journal and Corleto Latina Funeral Home web site.

I lieu of flowers please send a donation in memory of Margie Gioffre at the Alzheimer’s Association’s website: https://www.alz.org/nca/donate.