
Obituary of Margery Bedford Montemurro
Margery R. Montemurro née Bedford passed away at her home in Medford, NY on June 5, 2025. Margery outlived her husband Peter, the love of her life and her spouse of 63 years, by nearly a decade. She was fairly vital in her final days, but then died peacefully and quickly with her daughter Maria Maier and her son Peter Montemurro by her bedside as well as her granddaughter Emily and her daughter-in-law Patti. Margery was born December 31, 1930 and was 94 years old. Margery was the last surviving sibling of the Bedford siblings of Quebec, Canada, having outlived her brothers Frederick and Charles as well as sisters Frances, Helen, Lillian, Theresa and Mildred.
Margery is survived by her four children: her daughter Maria and her husband Kevin; her son Peter; her son George and his wife Patti; her son Victor and his wife Debbie. Margery is survived by her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Miles and Emily; Rachel and her daughter Samantha; Kyle and Megan; Katelyn and her husband Brandon; Maya, her husband Charles, and their daughters Olivia and Cate. Margery is predeceased by her granddaughter Cassandra. Margery is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their families.
Born in Quebec City, a few minutes before the New Year in 1930, Margery’s life was touched by tragedy at age four when her father George Bedford died unexpectedly, drowning in the St. Lawrence River. To work and care for her large family of eight children, Margery’s mother Lillian needed to place Margery and four of her siblings in a convent orphanage supervised by the Sisters of Mercy. Lillian kept close watch over her children visiting them and taking them home on weekends. A short time after their mother was able to bring the children home for good, tragedy struck again in the form of a house fire that required the three middle girls to return to the convent orphanage. Eventually they were able to return home.
Margery’s convent experience was so distasteful, she abruptly left Catholic school in the eighth grade and went to work in a chocolate shop and then worked as an elevator operator. At age 19, Margery, while hitchhiking with girlfriends, met Peter who, with a friend, was visiting Quebec City. They corresponded over the course of a year and married in 1952. During her married life Margery was a homemaker treating her three rambunctious boys with kindness and patience. She was overjoyed when her fourth pregnancy resulted in her daughter Maria. Margery believed that her marriage of 63 years to Peter dramatically changed her life.
Margery completed her high school education, learned to drive, became an active member of the St. Sylvester’s Parish, taught religious education, was a Cub Scout den mother, and worked part time once her children left the home. She was always available to her immediate family and Peter’s extended family caring for his great aunt Elsie at the end of her life, She supported her husband in his ten year college education journey and his career at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Peter and Margery enjoyed traveling to Europe once Peter retired and often visited her family in Canada. She retained her Canadian citizenship throughout her life and felt a strong bond with her Canadian family.
Margery treated everyone with kindness and grace. She loved to sing; she enjoyed reading and writing, painting, baking, flowers, poetry, and gardens. She enjoyed sewing and knitting. She was especially fond of cats and birds. Margery was always forgiving and held no grudges. Despite the challenges of family life and the tragedies of her youth, Margery was generally sunny and joyful, expressing gratitude and love often, and living her life authentically and as fully as possible.
Margery's memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the McManus-Lorey Funeral Home, 2084 Horseblock Road, Medford, NY 11763.
Her mass of Christian burial will be held 11:00 am on Friday, June 13 at St. Sylvester R.C. Church, 68 Ohio Avenue, Medford, NY with Fr. Thomas Tassone officiating.
In lieu of flowers, Margery's family request donations in her memory to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Margery Montemurro, please visit Tribute StoreMemorial Visitation
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In Loving Memory
Margery Montemurro
1930 - 2025
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