Margaret Ellen Walker McCarthy, 77, a devoted wife, sister, aunt and dear friend to all, passed away on May 26.

Visitation is planned for Thursday, May 30, from 3 to 7 P.M. at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa, and again after 12:30 P.M. on Friday at the church. The Funeral Mass will be Friday, May 31 at 1:30 P.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Maquoketa. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Margaret had a great zest for life and did not let the pancreatic cancer diagnosis slow her down. She fought a courageous battle with great support from her family and so many friends each and every day.

Born in a farm house North of Iron Hill, she was the youngest child of Eulaine (Flagel) and David Walker. Her siblings are Joyce Berggren of Maquoketa; Mary Rote of Dickeyville, WI and Dick (Denise) Walker of Bettendorf, IA.

Margaret attended Maquoketa High School and was Homecoming Queen 1959. She began working at Jackson State Bank in 1963. She was always the friendliest person in the bank greeting everyone by name. A loyal employee, Margaret worked for “the bank” through its many name changes for 42 years, retiring in 2005.

She married the love of her life, Joe McCarthy, 53 years ago, on Aug. 28, 1965. As an avid hunter and fisher herself, Margaret and Joe, together with their close friends, enjoyed many outdoor adventures. She also found time for her vegetable and flower gardens and was a member of the Maquoketa Garden Club.

Generous with her time and support of Maquoketa, Margaret also served on the Jackson County Fair Board and Executive Board of the Maquoketa Country Club for several years. She volunteered at the Hurstville Interpretive Center and she thoroughly enjoyed the “Y” and all her friends and the activities they shared in while there. Margaret was an active member of Sacred Heart Parish serving in many volunteer roles there, and as the volunteer school librarian for several years after she retired from the bank.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her parents-in-law, Florence and Gerald McCarthy, and her brother-in-law, Tommy Berggren.

Margaret is survived by her loving husband Joe McCarthy and her cherished siblings.

Margaret, aka Spook, was the favorite Aunt of her MANY nieces and nephews, to include great, great–nieces and nephews! She was fun-loving, humorous, and compassionate. She loved hosting and entertaining family and friends. The best stories were shared at Margaret and Joe’s home. Her countless number of friends with whom she enjoyed hunting, fishing, card playing, tap dancing, bicycling and so much more will remember her spirit and carry it with them for years to come.

We would like to thank Dr. Daniel Berg, Diane Van Ersvelde, PA, Sharon Baumler and the healthcare team who assisted Margaret at the University of Iowa Hospitals, as well as the staff at Family Clinic in Maquoketa. Additionally, heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the nurturing staff of Jackson County Hospice for their excellent care and support for Margaret in her last days.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Margaret E. McCarthy memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.