In memory of Margaret Garvin

1965-MARGARET GARVIN-2017

Margaret Alice “Maggie” Garvin, age 51, of Wabasha, died Monday, April 24, 2017 at Mayo Clinic Hospital-St. Marys Campus in Rochester with her loving family at her side after a courageous battle with cancer.  She was born May 15, 1965 in New Britain, CT, the daughter of Salvatore and Kathleen (Daniels) Stillo.  Her family moved to Jeffers, MN when she was 10 years old.  She graduated from Storden-Jeffers High School in 1983 and then attended the University of Minnesota where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in costume and fashion design.  She worked several years designing gift wear for the Lefton, Coca Cola and Ganz companies.  She later furthered her education at Winona State University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and she attained her Master’s degree from St. Mary’s University in Winona for literacy.  Maggie was the K-8 Reading Specialist and taught Title One in the elementary at Wabasha-Kellogg School from 2005-2015 and she taught reading at St. Felix Catholic School in Wabasha also.  She retired in 2015 because of her health.  She married Joseph Garvin August 19, 1989 at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Fulda, MN.      

Maggie was a member of St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha.  She had many interests and hobbies among which were reading, crocheting, playing cards, watching movies, singing and enjoying her Yorkie terriers.  She loved attending all of her daughters’ sporting events and loved spending time together with them and Joe.  Her love of teaching was very important to her as well.  Her pleasing and magnetic personality and infectious laugh will be remembered by all who knew her.

Maggie is survived by her loving husband, Joseph Girard Garvin, and their two daughters, Shannon Margaret Garvin (fiancé, Cory Skibba) and Samantha Jo Garvin, Wabasha, MN; mother, Kathleen Stillo, St. Anthony, MN; sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary and Tom Barthman, Hudson, WI, Nancy and Keith Kurkowski, Lamberton, MN; brother, David Stillo (special friend, Sue), Sacred Heart, MN; nieces and nephews, Amanda and Andrew Felber, Cassandra, Michael and Joshua Stillo and Molly, Megan, and Abigail Kurkowski; aunts, uncles and cousins.  She is also survived by Joe’s family: mother, Mary Ann Garvin, Worthington, MN; sisters, Julie Garvin, Heron Lake, MN, Jackie Garvin, Bailey, CO; brother and sister-in-law, James and Debra Garvin, Hutchinson, MN and their children, Daniel and Kaitie Garvin.  Maggie is also survived by her very special and true friend, Connie LaRocque, Wabasha, MN.  She was preceded in death by her father, Salvatore Stillo, infant brother, Joseph Stillo and father-in-law, Donald Garvin.

A funeral Mass was held on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 11:00am at St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha with the Reverend Father Gregory Parrott officiating.  Interment at St. Felix Cemetery.  Casket bearers were Daniel Garvin, Andrew Felber, Robin and Nolan LaRocque, Paul Elskamp and Richard Hogan.  Honorary bearer were Cory Skibba.  Memorials are preferred to cholangiocarcinoma.org.  The Abbott Funeral Home of Wabasha is in charge of arrangements.  www.abbottfh.com