Our mother Margaret passed peacefully this past Saturday – after battling cancer for 10 months – while still enjoying her passion of family, friends, and exciting excursions with them.

Margaret Barney Binowski was born in 1934 in Philadelphia to the late Edward and Helen Barney and grew up in Maple Shade with her 2 dear sisters and 2 rascal brothers.  The 5 siblings remained close over the years – still celebrating life, special occasions, and holidays together.  We don't know much about Margaret's high school years – but we did hear that at her 30th reunion a classmate was still holding a grudge – something about a stolen boyfriend.

Margaret raised her 9 children in Cherry Hill as a single parent – plus a few additional children that came to live with her - including our "adopted" best sister Lauren Leahey (Brown) who fit in just like one us.  Margaret was a mother to all who crossed her path – trying to instill the basic core values of life and family – and she especially wouldn't let up if she thought you weren't saving or planning for the future.

She had to touch every cooking pot – no matter who was chef.  However it is a given that her dinner rolls would always be burned.  Honest – she really always burned them – her whole life.  She made us experts at scraping the rolls so that someone would still eat them.  Her grandchildren loved announcing the dinner rolls would be burnt even before the oven was lit.

Late in life Margaret adventurously visited 4 continents and even fulfilled her dream of visiting Cuba.  She loved to travel – was always ready to go – WHEREVER and WHENEVER.  She traveled mainly with family or with her best girlfriend Penny Postel.

Not letting anything stop her - scheduled around chemo appointments - Margaret continued to enjoy shore weekends in Wildwood and putting together special birthday/holiday celebrations for her loved ones at her house (think BIG bonfire!).  She also fit in camping in Chincoteague, a NYC New Year's weekend celebration with city lights bus tour and hit play, and many movie/dinner girlfriend outings.

January marked Margaret's 81st birthday with a very special gathering of her 4 siblings, most of her children, and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews at her most favorite place which was her home.

We love and miss our mother….

"Those we love don't go away.

They walk beside us every day.

Unseen, unheard but always near.

Margaret will still be loved, still be missed, and very dear."

Margaret Barney Binowski, 81, of Cherry Hill NJ died on February 21, 2015.  Margaret (aka "Mrs. B"), daughter of the late Edward and Helen Barney, passed away peacefully on February 21st after battling cancer for 10 months while still enjoying her passion of family and friends.  She is survived by her children Valerie Danzey, Leonard Binowski, Joseph Binowski (deceased 2013), Andrew Binowski (Maria), David Binowski (Tammie), Mark Binowski (Brenda), Wayne Binowski (Nancy), Margaret Argentina (Stephen), Catherine Binowski (David Vitarelli); siblings Helen Patton (Joseph), Edward Barney, Richard Barney, Betty Renteria (Jerry); grandchildren Christina (Joseph), David (Emona), Joshua (Jessica), Jami, Cristal, Bo, Seth, Brianna, Gianna, Christopher, Stephen; great grandchildren Joseph, Angelina, Jeremy.  Margaret's passions were gardening, reading, traveling, cooking for family gatherings, fantasy day trading, summers in Wildwood, and spending time with her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all.  Visitation is on Thursday February 26th at 5pm followed by a memorial service from 6:30 to 7pm, both at Bocco Funeral Home of Cherry Hill.  Dinner gathering to follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the American Cancer Society at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=26081567&pg=personal&fr_id=68997&s_locale=en_US&et=bI5z2WobcXGXvB7go2VUyw or Heifer International at fundraise.heifer.org/MargaretBinowski would be appreciated.