Margaret M. Dunleavy

Margaret was born on July 19, 1937 in Bronx, N.Y. to William and Mary Rainsford. She had three brothers, James, Michael, and William Rainsford. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Thomas, her brother Michael, brother-in-law Patrick Dunleavy, sister-in-law Claire Rainsford, and grandson Joey Dunleavy. Margaret is survived by her brothers James and William, sisters-in-law Mary Frances Rainsford, Bridie Dorgan, and Nora, Mary, Bridie, and Mary Dunleavy, brothers-in-law James Dunleavy and Bat Dorgan, her children, Margaret (Maxim), Kathleen (Robert), Veronica (John), William (Paige), Thomas, Suzanne (Michael), Joseph (Nora), Brendan, James (Lori), Colleen (Daniel), and Maureen (Brian), 18 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.

Margaret was a graduate of Catherine McAuley High School in Brooklyn where she was an honors student and member of the basketball team. After getting married in 1958, Margaret devoted her life to her husband and children and subsequently to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was the driving force behind the growth and success of her husband’s CPA practice and personified the axiom, “behind every successful man is a great woman.”

She is forever remembered around Plainview for driving her 11 children to sports’ practices, religious instruction, college and wherever their many activities took them. Margaret was a skilled seamstress and an accomplished baker. Her cakes were made from scratch and her Toll House cookies never lasted long. She was a master juggler of schedules, the “fixer-upper in chief” and unflappable in the face of the many crises that 11 children and a husband can create, almost daily.

Margaret loved to travel, visiting her beloved Ireland annually for the last half century to visit family, friends, and the Marian Shrine in Knock. Her travels also took her throughout the United States, to multiple European capitals and as far afield as Australia. Her favorite places to visit were the US National Parks. Her love for adventure extended to flying lessons and her long-standing desire to become a pilot. With a book in her bag and the promise of a cup of coffee at her destination, she was ready for anything.

Throughout her life, Margaret was devoted to her Catholic faith and to the many charities which were recipients of her generosity. She was always there to help others, volunteering at school or church, driving people with disabilities or lending a helping hand to family and friends. Margaret was unassuming and selfless in her devotion to others, never seeking the spotlight.

The celebration of Margaret Dunleavy’s life will begin with visitation on Thursday, August 5 from 4 to 7 pm at the Vernon C. Wagner Funeral Home at 655 Old Country Road, Plainview, NY.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, August 6 at 11 am at Our Lady of Mercy RC Church, 500 South Oyster Bay Rd, Hicksville, NY, followed by interment at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Margaret’s name to support Our Lady of Mercy Academy (www.olma.org) or the St Joseph’s Indian School (www.stjo.org).