Margaret Taranto

January 23, 1943 - May 31, 2022

Margaret Taranto, age 79, of Athens passed away peacefully at her home on May 31, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. Margaret (Peggy) was born in Catskill, NY on January 23, 1943 to Alfred (Teddy) and Bertha (Houghtaling) Brooks. In addition to her parents, Margaret was predeceased by her husband James Taranto, her sisters Lenora Stacey and Carol Reed and her brother Sonny Brooks. Also predeceasing her are her two grandsons, Corey Parks and Jason Andrews, her son-in-law Ken Russell and her cherished beagles, Suzie and Star. Margaret is survived by her five daughters Brenda Russell, Teena Bogarski (Bill), Sherri Dykeman (Ed), Stephanie Kucharek (John) and Kimberly Lackie (Doug). Also surviving are her beloved grandchildren Steven Gogger, Jr. (Becky), Stacie Gogger (Mike), Nathan Taylor, Nicole Shove (Mike), William Bogarski Jr., Christopher Taylor (Shauna), JR Smith (Morgan), Erika Davanzo (Mike), Zachary Kucharek, Philip Dalton (Kerrie), Gage Gooley and Colby Lackie. In addition she is survived by 18 precious great-grandchildren as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family members. Margaret was a devoted mom to her daughters, raising them for the most part as a single parent. She enjoyed her employment at Coxsackie Correctional Employees Federal Credit Union and developed many friendships through the years that she worked there. “Peggy” loved spending time with her family, going to yard sales, spending weekends camping, working on jigsaw puzzles, caring for her home, her houseplants and gardening. She passionately loved without condition, her dogs, Suzie and Star. She was a dedicated and loving advocate for feral cats she encountered, especially one she lovingly referred to as “Mommy”. Margaret will live on in the memories and in the hearts of the family who loved her. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend calling hours at Richards Funeral Home, 28 North Vernon Street, Athens, New York, 12015, on Monday June 6, 2022 from 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. Private graveside services will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations, in Margaret’s name to Animal Kind, 721 Warren Street, Hudson, New York, 12534, The Columbia Greene Humane Society, 111 Humane Society Road, Hudson, New York, 12534, or to your local Humane Society. Condolences may be made at www.richardsfuneralhomeinc.net.