Margaret Josephine “Josie” Cahill passed away peacefully on October 10, 2019 surrounded by loving family and friends. Josie, 77, was born in Maugherow, County Sligo, Ireland. She is survived by her beloved husband, Donald Cahill, having been married 53 years, and her three loving children, Michael (Renee) Cahill, Donna Cahill (Gerald Mingo) and Kathy (Bernard) Lynch, as well as her dear grandchildren Bernard, Sarah and Michael Lynch. She will be treasured by them always. In addition, she is survived by many brothers, sisters, and their families, and in turn Josie will also be forever remembered by them and their numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.
Josie was born in Ireland, the fifth of eleven children and a large extended family, she was born to the late Patrick and Annie (Carway) Feeney. Josie left home at 14, first departing for England, where she did factory work for four years. In 1960, feeling better opportunities awaited in America, she moved to New Jersey, working as a nanny for several years on arrival. It was at this time that she met her future husband Donald, at a local dance, and they were married in 1966, and settled down in New Milford, raising their three children. A devoted mother and grandmother, her immediate family were her hearts true passion. Her large Irish family, in Ireland, England and America, were always a priority as well, and Josie made many trips to keep those bonds strong and connection to family solid. If you were a friend to Josie, you were like family, being one to never turn away from anyone in need, especially if down, she would work to lift others up, in any way she could.
While raising her family, she was a member of many various civic organizations and Josie was always prepared to volunteer when needed. She could be depended on to do whatever was asked of her and often saw a need before even asked. This spirit of self-giving lead Josie to ultimately work as a companion to the elderly, a calling she found immensely rewarding on a spiritual level. An amazing woman, and despite her busy life, she still found time to do things she relished, spending time with her grandchildren, visiting Atlantic City casinos and kicking her heels up at Irish dances and Sunday evenings at Tommy Fox’s. Josie had a magic ability to combine all her passions…charity, family and friends, and love of a good time…so that she could enjoy all in one, and in turn all benefited from her efforts, on all levels. Josie will be missed by all.
Funeral Mass Monday, October 14th, 9:30 AM, St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Dumont. Interment George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus. Visiting Sunday, October 13th, 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the Frech-McKnight Funeral Home, 161 Washington Ave., Dumont. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Margaret’s memory to the American Special Children’s Pilgrimage Group 601, P.O. Box 571, Cresskill, NJ 07626; www.ascpg601.org