Obituary of Margaret Gene Smega

SmegaMargaret Margaret Gene Gaston Smega Margaret Gene Gaston Smega, 84, passed away peacefully early Christmas morning, December 25, 2008, at her home. Born December 16, 1924, she spent most of her life in her hometown of Buckhannon, W.Va., daughter of the late Gilbert E. Gaston and Clara Mader Gaston. In 1947 she married Stephen Joseph Smega, who preceded her in death in 1989. She was also preceded in death by her sister Elizabeth Gaston Wolfe in 1953. Gene is survived by her daughters Ann Smega Bergstrom and husband Harry of Buckhannon, and Sherry Smega Esenwein and husband Todd of Annapolis, Md. She is also survived by grandsons Brian Bergstrom of Buckhannon, and Todd Bergstrom of Morgantown, W.Va. Surviving nieces and nephews include Gayle E. Jones of Philippi, Thomas G. Wolfe of Troy, Mich., and Carol L. Wolfe of Elkins; one sister-in-law, Jane Lament, of Phoenix, Ariz., and nephew Robert Lament, also of Phoenix; several aunts, uncles and cousins in Buckhannon; and special caregivers Sharon Hawkins, Trisha Phillips, Lynn Shaw, Debbie Sims, Cindy Burwell, and Judy Peck. As valedictorian of her Buckhannon-Upshur High School senior class, she went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from West Virginia Wesleyan College, majoring in biology, where she met her future husband Steve. Although she spent much of her adult life as a homemaker and mother, she also contributed to the work world as accountant for the family business, Buckhannon Milling Company. Gifted in math, she worked part-time for accountant ‘Hoppy’ Hopkins and H&R Block during several tax seasons. During the 1960s, she and Steve opened the first drive-through car wash in Buckhannon. Always athletic, she was an avid swimmer, a horseback rider who competed in horse shows, and later became a passionate golfer, winning several country club championships. She loved animals and liked to breed and raise dogs and goldfish. Travel was also a joy, especially to the ocean and her cottage in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. Friends and family will be received Sunday, December 28, 2008, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home with the Rev. Ellis Conley officiating. Burial will follow at Heavener Cemetery in Buckhannon. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Upshur County Humane Society or St. Joseph’s Hospital Hospice. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation Sunday, December 28, 2008 1-2 PM Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home Funeral Service Sunday, December 28, 2008 2 PM Funeral Home Burial Heavner Cemetery