Margaret (“Maggie”) Turrill McCaw, 81, of Lebanon, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday (October 30, 2022), surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Latrobe, PA to Frederick and Frances (Chester) Turrill, Maggie grew up in Laughlintown, PA and went to the Valley School of Ligonier and Ligonier High School. She attended Allegheny College, earning a degree in Biology and Drama, followed by an MFA in Technical Direction and Lighting from the Yale School of Drama. She met her husband, Burnette Robert (“Bob”) McCaw at Yale, and after marrying in 1965, they eventually settled in Lebanon in 1969.
She began her career teaching Theater History and other courses at universities including UCONN, Wesleyan and Eastern, later moved into architectural design, then finished out her career working for many years in Project Design at Eastern Connecticut State University.
Always a strong believer in civic responsibility and serving her community, Maggie volunteered on numerous town committees in Lebanon, including the Board of Education (25 years), and the Recreation Commission (25 years). She served in many capacities for the First Congregational Church of Lebanon, where she was a member for over 50 years. A long-serving member of the Lebanon Historical Society, she served on several building committees, including the one that led to the construction of the Museum, as well as the planning for the proposed Archives Building. She served as a Trustee of the Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. House, and most recently participated in the renovation of the Jonathan Trumbull Library as a Building Committee member. In 1986 she was honored with the Lebanon Citizen of the Year award.
She was admitted to the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department in 1982, serving for 40 years as an EMT and firefighter, and was serving as an Executive Officer (Secretary) at the time of her passing. As a lifelong learner with endless curiosity, she enjoyed exploring every aspect of emergency response and firefighting, pursuing a wide variety of certifications and technical knowledge.
As a fiercely protective and supportive mother to her two children, she inspired them to never stop learning, travel widely and love animals. She enjoyed exploring with her husband of 58 years, traveling extensively in the United States and Europe. Her childhood passions for horses and sports never diminished, perhaps only eclipsed recently by her enthusiasm in following her grandson’s athletic accomplishments.
She is survived by her husband Bob; brother Fred Turrill of Laughlintown, PA; son James (“Jim”) McCaw of Millwood, NY; daughter Becky McCaw LeGette, her husband Timothy (“Shane”) and their son Holden of Norwalk, CT; and extended family members in Lebanon, Pennsylvania and England.
A funeral service will be held at 1pm Saturday, November 12th at the First Congregational Church of Lebanon, with burial to follow at the New Lebanon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department, or the Lebanon Historical Society McCaw Library Fund. To share a memory or express a condolence to the McCaw family, please visit: www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com
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