Margaret Galvin

Loving wife and mother Margaret Mary Galvin left us for her eternal resting place on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Sitting side-by-side with her husband of sixty-three years and holding hands, she passed peacefully into the hands of God. She was 89 years old.

Margaret Mary Burke was born on May 9, 1935 in Little Castle, County Galway, Ireland. She was a daughter to a proud, hardworking Irish farming family with six brothers and two sisters. In 1954, at the age of nineteen, she left her homeland from the shores of Cobh on an ocean liner to start a new life. She emigrated to New York City to join her sister Catherine (Burke) Cafferky, her brother Edward Burke and her brother Michael Burke. These young siblings from a foreign land formed a loving and supporting extension of their family in the Bronx. Margaret would later say that she was more American than others because “she chose to be American.” In 1960, she began a courtship with a Fordham University student, Thomas Galvin. They would marry in October 1962. They would have a great life. Together, from very little, they achieved the American dream. During their marriage, they were able to celebrate wonderful occasions with family, travel the world, and demonstrate a unique love.

Margaret’s greatest passion and achievement was nurturing a wonderful family. Margaret and Tom are the parents of Mary Galvin Casale  (Bergenfield, NJ), Thomas S. Galvin (Ridgefield, CT), and Richard E. Galvin (Spring Lake, NJ). In 1967, the couple moved to Sloatsburg, Rockland County, NY, where they remained for over twenty-five years and raised their children. In 1991, Margaret and Tom bought a beach home in Spring Lake, NJ where they remained until 2000.

While completely dedicated to their children and always instilling a belief that anything was possible, Margaret also loved the bucolic and natural surroundings of Sloatsburg and Spring Lake, especially the trails of Harriman State Park and the Spring Lake boardwalk. She was an avid long-distance runner, bicycling enthusiast, and enjoyed regular walks with the family dogs. Every day would start with a cup of tea…with several more cups during the day. At home, her family and visitors enjoyed great and plentiful cooking. She and the children would anxiously await the 7pm arrival of Dad on weekday nights from his long Manhattan commute to enjoy a table full of good food and lively, loving conversation. Her Irish soda bread recipe has been preserved for legacy purposes. In the evening while relaxing with Tom and the children, Margaret would produce prolific quantities of Irish knit sweaters for her family members and special people in her life. Margaret enjoyed the peace of home even (and especially) during a fierce thunderstorm. Very often, she preferred to end the evening with a cup of warm milk by candlelight or in complete darkness.

No life is without challenge. Margaret was diagnosed with cancer in her early fifties and dealt with this disease for a decade or more. Clearly fearful of the predicament at the prime of her life, she proceeded with admirable bravery and an unflappable faith in the medical community and God. Tom and Margaret would drive to New York City for frequent treatments always holding hands, if the rosary beads would allow. Supported in heroic fashion by Tom, her strength and perseverance brought her to full remission.

In 2001, Margaret and Tom moved to Staatsburg NY in the Hudson Valley. This was a move motivated by Margaret’s love of nature and the outdoors. It served that purpose well for her final years. Margaret’s grandchildren fondly remember playing games in the barn, swinging from trees, and eating tasty treats with their loving Granny. 

Above all else, Margaret was a loving wife and mother. Everything about her was selfless. She had a strong faith in God and a keen belief in the human spirit. She was a fighter. That very young woman who bravely left Ireland wanted the best for her family always and we are forever grateful. We miss and love her. May she rest in peace.

Margaret is survived by her husband Thomas Galvin (Staatsburg, NY), her daughter (Mary Galvin Casale), her son / daughter in law (Thomas and Tamera Galvin), her son / daughter in law (Richard and Christina Galvin), and eight grandchildren, as follows in birth order: Matthew Casale, Michael Casale, Brendan Galvin (wife Lyric), Sarah Casale, Mara Galvin, Sean Galvin, Tommy Galvin and Kathleen Galvin. To her very end, she was loved by in-laws Richard and JoAnne Galvin (Somers, NY) & Marion and Robert Dillon (Bellerose, NY).

In lieu of flowers and in recognition of Margaret’s hard-fought battle with cancer, we ask that any contemplated donations be made to the American Breast Cancer Foundation. www.abcf.org

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Regina Coeli Catholic Church in Hyde Park on Friday April 4, 2025 at 11:15 AM. Burial will follow at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY. 

Arrangements under the direction of the Dapson-Chestney Funeral Home, Rhinebeck, NY 12572.