Margaret (Margie) O’Beirne passed away Oct. 19, 2025. Born July 9, 1938, in Brooklyn, she was the second of John and Beatrice Gavigan’s three children. Both John and Beatrice moved to Brooklyn from Ireland in their 30s, making Margie and her siblings first-generation Americans. They were in good company on Maple Street in Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood.
Margie earned her degree from St. Mary’s Nursing School in 1959 and went on to have a remarkable nursing career that spanned nearly 50 years, from patient care to management to administration. That same year, she married her neighborhood sweetheart, John (Jack) O’Beirne. Together they raised four children – Brenda, Kathleen, Jack and Matthew – and shared over 56 years of unconditional love. Jack’s work eventually took them from Flatbush to Middletown, where Margie would make her home for the next 57 years.
A devoted mother, grandmother and lifelong parishioner of St. Mary’s in Middletown, Margie’s lasting mark was as a career woman truly ahead of her time. She dedicated the latter part of her life to nursing and health care and was an absolute force – a progressive leader and risk-taker who wasn’t afraid to step out of her comfort zone. She was passionate, curious and deeply empathetic.
One role she was especially proud of was serving as director of Case Management and Social Services at Riverview Medical Center, where she showed what was possible for women and mothers in leadership, especially later in life.
Margie never stopped asking questions and always showed a genuine interest in others. She was a wonderful conversationalist who could go toe-to-toe on just about any topic. After retirement, she continued to live a full and active life, enjoying time with friends, attending events with the Fair Haven Seniors group, and staying engaged through volunteer work.
Margie was predeceased by her parents; her beloved husband, Jack (2016); and her son-in-law, William Johnson. She is survived by her siblings, Eileen Leavell and John Gavigan; her devoted children, Brenda (Frank) Mergenthaler, Kathleen Johnson, Jack O’Beirne, and Matt (Janet) O’Beirne; her seven cherished grandchildren and their spouses, Laurena (Brian) Morris, Chris (Patricia) Mergenthaler, William Johnson, Colin (Lydia) Johnson, Julianne O’Beirne, Kimberly O’Beirne and Nick O’Beirne; and her five great-grandchildren (with one on the way) who brought her endless joy.
A wake was held Oct. 22 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral Mass was held Oct. 23 at St. Mary’s Church.
Margie will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her warmth, strength and spirit.
The article originally appeared in the October 30 – November 5, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
