Margaret E. Lafferty

Margaret Ewing Lafferty, a resident of Brethren Village in Neffsville, passed away quietly on Sunday, December 3rd. She was 98.

Born in Rehoboth Beach, DE on July 6, 1919, Margaret was the daughter of Catherine Lingo Ewing and Benjamin Burton Ewing, Sr. At the time of her death, Margaret was the oldest living Rehoboth-born native. One of only nine members of her Rehoboth Beach High School class, Margaret attended the University of Delaware in Newark, DE and earned her degree in elementary education in 1941. While at the University, Margaret met her future husband, John E. H. “Jack” Lafferty. They were married in 1942. During the war years, Margaret lived in Rehoboth and taught school until her husband returned from the service.

In 1949, Margaret and Jack moved to Lancaster and resided in Manheim Township. Margaret was home with her children until her youngest entered junior high, when she resumed teaching fourth grade in the Lampeter-Strasburg School District. She retired in 1985. Margaret was an avid bridge player and enjoyed playing well into her nineties. She loved cheering on the Philadelphia Phillies, and was an excellent cook and baker. Margaret was also a member of the Towne Club. She and her husband were active members of Grandview Heights United Methodist Church, having joined the church soon after its founding upon their arrival in Lancaster. Margaret’s favorite times were spent in her hometown of Rehoboth where she spent several weeks every summer visiting with friends and family.

Margaret is survived by her daughter, Dee Lafferty Pugh of Bryn Mawr, PA (the late James Pugh) and son, Jed Lafferty (Pam) of West Chester, PA, as well as two grandchildren , Katelyn Lafferty Crook (Jeff) and John B. Lafferty, and two great-grandchildren, Madeline and Harrison Crook. She was preceded in death by her husband Jack, her sister, Delma, and three brothers, Ben, Hall, and Willard.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Memorial Service celebrating Margaret’s life on Friday, December 8 at 2 p.m. at Grandview Heights United Methodist Church, 888 Pleasure Road, Lancaster, PA 17601. The Reverend Andrea Brown will preside. Friends may call from 1 till 2 p.m. at the church. A graveside service will be held at Epworth Methodist Cemetery on Henlopen Avenue in Rehoboth Beach on Saturday, December 9 at 1 p.m. Contributions in Margaret’s memory may be made to the Towne Club Vocational Scholarship Fund, c/o Dottie Grove, Towne Club Treasurer, 2001 Harrisburg Pike, CW 145, Lancaster, PA 17601, or Grandview Heights United Methodist Church.