Margaret Benson Burawa, age 85 of Waterford, died at home on Friday, December 10, 2010 after a year long illness. Born December 1, 1925 in Rootstown, OH, she was the daughter of the late John and Mildred Krstich Benson.

Burawa, Margaret BensonMaggie graduated from Akron East High School in 1943, was married to Joseph Burawa in 1945, and together they lived on the family dairy farm since 1947. In those early years, she worked as a waitress at the Crossroads Diner in Edinboro, was an Air Force Link Instructor at Edinboro College, and also worked at Erie Resistor and General Electric. For 45 years, Maggie worked as a doctor’s assistant in Waterford and Erie, first for Dr. Angelo Meloro and then Dr. Orlando Leo.

Maggie was an active member of the Washington Valley Christian Church where she had served as Board secretary for 30 years and also sang in the choir. She also was a member of the Mill Village Fire Department Auxiliary. Her interests included cooking and baking, flower gardening, and sewing.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Burawa, who died October 27, 2007.

Survivors include three children, Joseph A. Burawa and his wife Nancy of Waterford, John P. Burawa and his wife Sharon of Edinboro, and Susan J. Chase and her husband Allan of Waterford; also, five grandchildren: Joseph, Andrew, and Chad Burawa, and Julie (Chase) Maciag and Jill Chase; six great-grandchildren, a sister, Anne Kline and her husband Ralph of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and several nieces.

A private funeral service for the family will be held at the Van Matre Funeral Home of Waterford. Rev. Duane Pinney will officiate and the burial will be in Washington Valley Cemetery.

The Burawa family would like to extend their thanks to Asera Care Hospice and Bright Star Healthcare.