Longtime Massapequa resident Marguerite T. Himmelmann died July 21, 2008 at her home after a long term illness. She was 92 and had lived on Hawthorne Street for 61 years.

She was born February 13, 1916 in Brooklyn to Michael and Mary (Dineen) Killeen and moved to Massapequa in 1947. She worked as a secretary for Con Edison in New York City and devoted her life to caring for her family after she married. Mrs. Himmelmann was also an accomplished seamstress who made her family's dresses.

Mrs. Himmelmann was a longtime devoted parishioner at St. William the Abbot R.C. Church in Seaford and was a charter member of its Rosary Society. She was also an avid reader and served as committeewoman for the Massapequa Democratic Party during the 1950s and 1960s.

"She always said that the only two Republicans she ever voted for were Jacob Javits and John Venditto," laughed her son, Peter, who had grown up on the same block as Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and considers him a longtime family friend.

"My mother leaves behind a legacy of unconditional love," added Peter.

In addition to her son Peter G. and his wife Karen of Amityville, she also leaves behind her children: Patrice Himmelmann-Esposito and her husband Robert of Amityville, Michael and his wife Meghan of Massapequa Park and Claire of Massapequa, who was also one her caretakers; her grandchildren: Patrice, Mikey, Amy, Timothy, Maria, Rebecca, Robert, Rosemary and Luke; eight great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and her caregiver: Mary Cole. She was predeceased by her husband of more than 60 years, George, in 1998.

A Prayer service was held at the Powell Funeral Home in Amityville on July 23, 2008. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. William the Abbot R.C. Church in Seaford followed by interment in Holy Cross Cemetery.