Margaret J. Cecchini, 94, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Monday, September 23, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.
She was born in Scranton, Pa. to Anna McDonald Nuttall and Fred L. Nuttall and was raised by Fred and Catharine Spitzer Nuttall.
Margaret graduated from Marywood Seminary and Lackawanna Business College in Scranton. In 1948, she married John J. Cecchini, a Navy career veteran who died in 1996.
Margaret and John moved to Concord, Calif., where Margaret enjoyed an 18-year career as an executive secretary with the Johns Mansville Corporation in Pittsburg, Calif. Margaret and John retired in 1972 and moved to Jacksonville, Fla. In 1973, they moved to Fernandina Beach, where Margaret collected sea shells and started a new phase in her life doing volunteer work.
She was instrumental in founding the Nassau Humane Society, the League of Women Voters and the Barefoot Alliance, where she also volunteered her time and organizational skills as secretary/treasurer. She also was a volunteer with the Quality Health Care Nursing Home for 16 years. In 1997, she was honored to receive the Elsie Harper Volunteer of the Year Award.
Margaret enjoyed taking care of her home while humming her favorite hymns, gardening, knitting, shell artistry and game nights with friends and family. She was a “whiz” at Rummi-Cube.
In addition to her husband, Margaret was predeceased by her brother, Edward Nuttall, and her sister, Barbara Nuttall.
Margaret leaves behind her sister, Mary Nuttall of Fernandina Beach, as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends 9:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Michael Catholic Church beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 1, 2019 with Fr. Briggs Hurley as celebrant. She will be laid to rest beside her husband at Bosque Bello Cemetery. A reception will follow at St. Michael Parrish Hall.
The family asks Margaret be remembered with donations in her name to the Nassau Humane Society at 641 Airport Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.
Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors