Obituary of Margaret Marie DeGroff Cross

         Margaret Marie DeGroff Cross, 91, Amsterdam, NY, passed away peacefully at St Mary’s Hospital on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 with her daughter, Catherine, by her side.

     Margaret was born on July 24, 1930 to Durward S. and Helen Nelson DeGroff.  She was salutatorian of the class of 1948 at Wilbur H. Lynch High School and a graduate of Elmira College in Elmira NY, receiving a Bachelor ‘s Degree in Biology in 1952. After graduation she worked as a research assistant in the lab of Dr. Ralph F. Jacox at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester NY on projects involving the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.

     Upon her return to Amsterdam, Margaret worked as a lab technician at Amsterdam City Hospital and St Mary’s Hospital for many years.

     In 1968, after a year of substitute teaching, Margaret found her true calling--teaching young children.  She was devoted to her Head Start and first grade students in the Greater Amsterdam School District, and was immensely proud whenever she saw their names on the honor roll, noted their high school graduation, or read about their latest accomplishments.  She was never happier than when accompanying a chorus of young voices on piano, leading them on a nature walk, or joining them in a circle game.  They recognized one of their own.

     Following her retirement from teaching in 1985, she worked at St Mary’s Hospital in many different capacities, both paid and voluntary.

     Margaret was involved in the local arts community throughout her life, beginning with playing Becky Thatcher to her friend Thomas J. Weyl’s Tom Sawyer in high school.  She sang alto in the Mohawk Valley Chorus, and played her flute in the Amsterdam Little Symphony and in the pit orchestra of many musical productions.  She enjoyed jazzercise at the Willoughby Noble School of Dance and participated in various capacities in community productions.  She always said “musicians make the best people”.

    Margaret was one of Montgomery County’s trained master gardeners, and a member of the Century Club, Walter Elwood Museum of the Mohawk Valley, and United Presbyterian Church.  Her greatest joy in later life was playing in the River Valley Ringers hand bell choir with fellow music lovers.

    In retirement she enjoyed playing bridge with “the girls” and spending time with her friend and co-conspirator, William H. “Buddy” Johnson--dancing at the Moose Lodge in Johnstown and golfing in the couple’s league at Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course.

     Throughout her life Margaret loved music, gardening and crafts of all kinds.  She was vivacious and fierce, with a smile that lit up a room.  She was a good listener and a fine friend.

     Margaret was predeceased by her parents  Durward S. and Helen Nelson DeGroff, her sister Helen Elizabeth “Betty” DeGroff  Whitcher and brother-in-law,  Ralph E. “Buzz” Whitcher, her brother Durward N. “Sonny” DeGroff and sister-in-law,  Mary Noryne Mitchell DeGroff, and her infant brother Peter B. DeGroff.  She is survived by her daughter Catherine E. Cross of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, her sister Ann L. DeGroff of New York City, her brother James S. DeGroff and sister-in-law Jane Egan DeGroff of Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

     Arrangements have been entrusted to Betz, Rossi, Bellinger & Stewart in Amsterdam, NY. Calling hours will be held on Monday, November 15, 2021 at 12:00 noon with a brief service at 1pm at the funeral home.  Interment to follow at Chuctanunda Cemetery, Minaville, NY.  Due to the Covid 19 pandemic please follow social distancing guidelines and wear a mask. Memorial Contributions in Margaret’s memory may be made to River Valley Ringers payable to:  “United Presbyterian Church” on memo line, write: “memorial donation to River Valley Ringers” you may mail to: United Presbyterian Church, 25 Church St., Amsterdam, NY 12010 or to the:American Cancer Society,

call: 1-800-227-2345 or click on: www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/online-documents/en/pdf/forms/donate-by-mail-form.pdf.