Margaret C. Breuer, 96, passed away peacefully at home in Tavares with her son, Charles, and daughter-in-law by her side.
She was born on March 23, 1926, on Staten Island, New York, to Elizabeth and James Conway. She was one of 11 children and was predeceased by Marie, Mildred, Ruth, Dorothy, James, Joseph, Thomas, Francis, and George. She is survived by her sister, Josephine.
Margaret was a miracle baby – she was born prematurely and was not expected to live. The doctors wrapped her in cotton and put her under a heat lamp. When she was 12, she was hit by a car and dragged over two blocks. Her coat was stuck in the door handle, and her body banged against the fenders and the running board. The driver did not notice until onlookers flagged him down. She spent two weeks in a coma and spent several months in rehabilitation.
During the depression, she would take some of her younger siblings to the park. She would stop at the local grocery store on the way and negotiate with the owner for the broken cookies at the bottom of the barrel. He always gave her one whole cookie on top and told her it was for her.
On the way home from school, an older woman called out to Margaret from her upstairs window and asked her to bring her tea and a coffee cake. After that, Margaret checked on her daily until the woman passed away.
During WWII, she worked in a plant making small electric motors and hydraulic pumps for the war effort.
In 1950, she married the love of her life, Charles T. Breuer. They lived in Tottenville, Staten Island, New York until he died in 1994.
She was active in her church, Our Lady Help of Christians, and served as president of the Mater Christi Guild and the Rosary and Altar Society, sang in the choir, and helped at many church functions.
She was also a member of the Tottenville Friendship Club and led the glee club there with her beautiful soprano voice.
She enjoyed taking car rides with her husband to Pennsylvania and going to Atlantic City with her friends.
She resided with her oldest son, Charles, who was her sole caregiver for 15 years. Charles said, “My mother gave so much to so many and asked for nothing in return. She was very generous and sacrificed to raise two of her grandchildren. She was fun-loving, and all her friends and family always said she could make them laugh.”
She is survived by three children, Charles (Barbara), Elizabeth Zasa (Pasquale), and Joseph (Maxine), six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
