Obituary of Margaret A. Updyke

passed away on January 15, 2018 in The Woodlands, TX at the age of 82 surrounded by her loving family. Peggy was born on November 21, 1935 to George and Agnes Good at St. Joseph's Hospital in Elmira, NY. She is pre-deceased by her parents, her sister-in-law Virginia Medford Good, and her former husband, William Updyke. She is survived by her children: daughter Anne (James) Litsey and children James, Peter, and Andrew of The Woodlands, TX; son William (Christina) and children Grace and Kate of Kennesaw, GA. She is also survived by her brother, Thomas Good of Baltimore, MD and children, George Good of Bloomington, IN and Elizabeth (Reza) Mazhari and children Hannah and Leila of Baltimore, MD; sister, Virginia (Richard) Woodhouse of Elmira, NY and children, Timothy (Megan) Woodhouse and children Charlotte and Sean of Shamong, NJ; Patrick (Stefanie) Woodhouse and daughter Rory of Baltimore, MD; Ann (Robert) Neeson and children Thomas, Matthew, and Bridget of Ballston Spa, NY. Peggy is a graduate of Southside High School and Elmira College. She began teaching at Fassett Elementary School before moving to Massachusetts, followed by Pennsylvania, California, and Michigan. Upon returning to Elmira in 1971, she taught Social Studies at Holy Family Jr. High School for thirty years where she loved her students, her co-workers, and her subject matter. In later years, she took on the role of Vice Principal. Peggy also taught evening GED classes at GST BOCES, where she treasured the joy of seeing her adult students succeed in their goals. Peggy believed in the importance of service to others and was always there to offer assistance to those in need. One example of this was gathering together a group to serve a meal at the Elmira Community Kitchen. The "Friends of the Community Kitchen" team continues to provide a meal on the 5th Wednesday of the month. In 2014 she relocated to Texas. Though difficult to leave family, friends, and the town she loved, true to her spirit, Peggy went on to make many new special friends and enjoy three very happy years with her daughter and grandchildren. Although Alzheimer's disease took away many of her memories, it never took away her faith, her love of family and friends, and her wonderful smile and laugh. Friends and family are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 West Water Street, Elmira on Friday, February 23, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to either Notre Dame High School - Grades 7 & 8, 1400 Maple Ave Elmira, NY 14904 or Elmira Community Kitchen c/o Catholic Charities, 215 East Church Street, Elmira, NY 14901.