Obituary of Margaret O'Hare

Margaret Catherine O’Hare, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 13, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. She was 84.

Maggie was predeceased by her parents, Thomas “Frank” and Frieda O’Hare; her beloved son, Jonathan P. Chang; and her brother, Thomas O’Hare.  She is survived by her eight children, Mary Chang (and husband George Yankwitt), Peter Chang, Eileen Machler (and husband Brian), Kevin Chang (and wife Michelle), Carolyn Chang (and husband Peter Martin), Leslie Metzler (and husband Thomas), Emily P. Chang, and Terence Chang; her three sisters, Joan O’Hare, Mary Jane O’Hare and Doris Primich; brother, Dennis O’Hare; fifteen cherished grandchildren, Erica Kessler (and husband Thomas), Kaitlyn Bott (and husband Jeffrey), Peter Chang, Jacqueline Berk (and husband Matthew), Elodie Peay (and husband Connor), Ryan Chang, Colin Chang, Luke Machler, Madeline Bauer (and husband Jacob), Jonathan Chang, Matthew Metzler, Emma Carreno, Simon Chang Martin, Quinn Chang Martin and Maya Metzler; one great-granddaughter, Raegan Kessler; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

One of six children, Maggie was born on July 13, 1939 in Highland Park into a large, loving Irish Catholic family.  After high school, Maggie went on to earn her degree in nursing.  While a nursing student at St. Peter’s Hospital in New Brunswick, she met a young resident, Dr. Peter Chang. The two were married and lived in Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia before settling in Edison. Maggie was a wonderful mother to her nine children, loving them unconditionally and supporting them in all that they did.  She was particularly thrilled to become a grandmother and took great pride and joy in the achievements of her fifteen grandchildren.

Maggie had a beautiful voice and gave the gift of music to her children throughout their lives.  She was a talented seamstress and enjoyed making clothes, including First Holy Communion dresses and prom gowns for her daughters.  An expert knitter, she made sweaters and scarves for family and friends, and later learned how to weave on a loom.  Maggie loved to cook and bake for her family, and mastered her skills by attending many cooking classes over the years.  Her culinary gifts will be truly missed at birthdays and holidays alike.

Maggie was warm and loving and had a wonderfully unique sense of humor.  She was a loyal friend to many in all walks of her life over the years.

Two things were most important in Maggie’s life: her devotion to family and to God. Her tremendous Catholic faith gave her unwavering strength her entire life and she attended mass regularly. One of Maggie’s greatest achievements and a source of great pride was when she completed her journey to become an oblate at St. Mary’s Abbey in Morristown.

We will miss Maggie deeply but take solace in knowing that she is with the Lord. May she rest in peace.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a memorial visitation for Maggie on Monday, May 20, 2024 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. held at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison.

Immediately following the visitation, a memorial Mass will be offered at 3:00 p.m. at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Road, Madison. Those who are unable to attend in person may attend the Mass virtually by visiting www.svmnj.org and following instructions for live-stream mass viewing.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Maggie’s memory to Catholic Charities Diocese of Paterson, https://ccpaterson.org/morris-county.