Obituary of Margaret M. Clifford

Margaret “Margie” Clifford of Poughkeepsie, NY, born on May 25, 1941, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on February 13, 2025. In her last days, Margie was overflowing with gratitude, earnest affection and love. While she is now in her eternal home, she leaves behind generations who love her and who she molded through her kindness, love, forgiveness and chattiness. 

Margie’s greatest love was her family. She was predeceased by her parents (Michael and Florence Waldron), her husband (Peter Thomas Clifford), eight of her siblings, her daughter (Deborah Shaffer), and her son-in-law (Kevin Meisner). She leaves behind her sister (Mary) and five children: Margaret Tavarez (spouse: Franklin), Florence Duncan (spouse: Rodney), Catherine Meisner, Patricia Mann (spouse: Russell), Michael Clifford (spouse: Dena), and son-in-law, Alfred Shaffer. Margie cherished her extended family and her dozens and dozens of grandchildren and great grandchildren, for whom she took great pride in remembering and repeating each’s names and showering them with love.

Throughout her life, Margie pursued many passions, including gifting thoughtful items to her loved ones for special occasions, watching crime drama tv shows, befriending animals, having sleepovers with her grandchildren, drinking tea, always having mints, figuring out crossword puzzles, and sharing her memories of growing up with her family. Margie will always be treasured, missed and remembered fondly by the many family members she leaves behind who love her.

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”” - John 11:25-27

Visitation will be at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street in Wappingers Falls from 4pm to 7pm on Monday, February 17th. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10am on Tuesday, February 18th at St Mary’s Church, 11 Clinton Street in Wappingers Falls. Interment will follow at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, 342 South Avenue in Poughkeepsie.