Margaret “Daisy” Owens Giesler, age 100, of Waterford, died Friday, September 19, 2008 at Saint Mary’s At Asbury Ridge, Erie, where she had resided for the past ten years. Born in Belfast, Ireland on April 5, 1908, she was a daughter of the late James and Rachael Logan Owens. When her family left Ireland, they settled first in Ontario, Canada before moving to Erie.
In 1927, Margaret graduated from Academy High School where she met and later married classmate Fred “Red” Giesler, former mayor and postmaster of Waterford. He preceded her in death in 1996.
An antique collector and dealer, Mrs. Giesler was well-known for her period home in Waterford, her floral arrangements, and her love of dogs. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Waterford where she was a past president of the Women’s Association and a former Trustee, and a member of the Waterford Garden Club, the Lioness Club, and the Fort LeBoeuf Historical Society.
Survivors include her sister Jeanne Nelson, her niece Karen Abels, and her two nephews, James and David Nelson, all of Tucson, AZ; 3 great-nieces, 1 great-nephew, and 3 great-great-nieces; also, 3 nieces, Susan Wieczorek, Sally Giesler, and Virginia Liebel, all of Erie; and two special friends, Virginia Kraus and Dr. Kristine Nelson.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Funeral Home, West First and Walnut Streets, Waterford on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8pm and may attend the funeral service there on Monday at 2:00pm. Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Dwayne Cole, pastor of the Waterford First Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow at Erie Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Erie Humane Society, or Saint Mary’s Home, or to a charity of one’s choice.