Obituary of Margaret J Arnold

Margaret J. Arnold, a lifelong resident of Long Hill Township, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, November 3rd, at 97 years of age. Margaret, well known as “Peggy”, grew up in Gillette, NJ. As a young woman, she began studying nursing at Muhlenberg Hospital in Plainfield, NJ and served at Fort Dix during WWII. After the war, she continued her studying at Seton Hall University and became a Registered Nurse. Upon graduation, she worked for the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills for many years before leaving nursing to raise her family with Robert E. Arnold. Margaret lived a full life, centered on her love of Christ and her church, Meyersville Presbyterian, where she was baptized and married. As a young member, she developed a passion for music and shared her gifts with the whole congregation as an organ and piano player, junior choir director and Sunday school teacher. She remained active in her community as a member of the Meyersville Grange, the Singers of Basking Ridge, and her local Weight Watchers chapter. She sat on the Visiting Nurse Association Board and the Passaic Township School Board where she became the first woman to serve as board president. Margaret was an avid gardener, tennis player, sports fan, and animal lover (especially dachshunds). Her love of gardening from vegetables to flowers began at the Meyersville Grange and led her to become a member of the Washington Valley Garden Club. Margaret's great affection for travel took her on countless trips to foreign countries with her friends and numerous camping adventures with her children, anywhere from Cape Hatteras to Nova Scotia in their travel trailer. She developed many lifelong friends from her many interests. Her love of family and friends was one of t he guiding principles of her life. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and community volunteer who loved to entertain and share her enthusiasm for life with everyone she met. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Arnold and son, John J. Arnold. She is survived by her sons, Robert and David Arnold; by her daughter, Doris and son-in-law, Tyson Mertz; her three grandsons, Robert, Peter and Brian Arnold; and her three granddaughters, Shanon Filipski, Laura Holsten, and Dana Mertz. Relatives and friends are invited to a funeral service at Meyersville Presbyterian Church on Saturday, November 27th, at 11:00 AM. All are welcome to attend a celebration of Peggy's life following the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the memorial fund at Meyersville Presbyterian Church. For further information, or to leave an online condolence please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com