Margaret Elliott Sternbergh 1931-2025

Margaret was the only child of John Brua Elliott and Mary Taylor Elliott of Hollidaysburg, Pa. Margaret’s husband, G. Alan Sternbergh, predeceased her, having died on May 16, 2017, in Chambersburg.

Margaret is survived by her four children, Karen Gerstner (Jim), Cynthia Travers (Bill), Gail Durrett and Elliott Sternbergh (Janet); six grandchildren, Laura (Paddy), Allison (Lee), Libby (Rayne), Jessica (Joey), Katie and Matthew; and two great-grandchildren, Winifred (Winnie) and Oliver (Ollie).

Margaret grew up in Hollidaysburg and graduated from Hollidaysburg High School in 1949. After spending one year at a junior college, Margaret entered Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., where she majored in speech and drama, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1954.

Margaret met her late husband, Alan, at Westminster College. After Alan and Margaret got married in June 1954, they moved to Youngstown (Liberty Township and Poland) due to Alan’s job with General Fireproofing. They lived in the Youngstown area with their four children until they returned to New Wilmington in 1969 for Alan’s second career as job counselor and placement director at Westminster College.

Margaret was a homemaker for most of her post-college life, although she did obtain a master’s degree in education from Westminster College in 1977. In addition, Margaret did volunteer work with the Junior Guild, Jameson Hospital and Head Start in New Castle, the Garden Club and Neshannock Presbyterian Church in New Wilmington and many other organizations.

Margaret and Alan were charitably inclined and set up a scholarship at Westminster College and a charitable trust benefitting Westminster College, Penn State and Neshannock Presbyterian Church.

Margaret enjoyed having a nice home and entertaining. Margaret and Alan participated in various social groups together, including bridge clubs, supper clubs, the Neshannock Presbyterian Church choir and the Westminster College alumni choir, which went on a cathedral singing tour in Europe. Margaret and Alan were also big college football fans and attended numerous Westminster College and Penn State games.

Being a dramatic person interested in historical matters, Margaret gave educational presentations to various groups called “The Antique Attic.” Margaret dressed as a pioneer woman and did a “show and tell” with various antiques (most inherited from her ancestors) that she kept in an old trunk.

After Alan’s retirement, Margaret and Alan moved to Chambersburg, where they lived in the Menno Haven retirement community. While living in their home there, they enjoyed various amenities, including movie night, which they hosted. After Alan’s death, Margaret moved into assisted living and, in recent years, memory care in the Menno Haven complex.

Margaret had a cheerful demeanor, a good sense of humor and a practical bent. Some of Margaret’s favorite things were gardening (she truly had a green thumb), playing cards and games, working on arts and crafts projects of various types (such as making needlepoint Christmas stockings for her grandchildren), and interacting with people.

Margaret really enjoyed being a mother and, especially, being a grandmother. Her grandchildren have many fond memories of spending time with her doing various fun activities that she planned. In her most recent years, Margaret was visibly delighted when visited by her toddler great-granddaughter, Winnie.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Menno Haven for their attentive care of Margaret during the final stage of her life.

The family will have a private graveside service in Hollidaysburg later this summer.

(special notice)