Margaret Louise Headrick Tau, age 83, resident of 14687 West Road, Saegertown, was called home by her Lord Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at Meadville Medical Center, Meadville, PA. She was born on September 7, 1927, at the home of her parents in Linesville, PA and was the daughter of the late Chester and Louise Walsh Headrick and step-daughter of Elgia Mosier Headrick Carman. She married Ralph L. Tau June 4, 1949.
Margaret was a 1945 graduate of Cambridge Springs High School and after attending Edinboro University in the summer of 1945, she began teaching in Mosiertown in a one room schoolhouse using a temporary certificate. She taught school for four years while attending Edinboro University during the summer and taking evening courses through the winter. While continuing to attend summer and evening classes, she raised a family of six children, receiving her BS Degree in elementary education and a specialization degree in special education in 1971. Margaret began teaching physically handicapped children in February of 1960 at the Ryan Road Sportsman’s Club. She also taught intermediate and special education classes at Cambridge Springs Elementary School. For many years she substituted at Cussewago, Saegertown and Cambridge Elementary Schools as well as tutoring local students unable to attend classes. In 1962, she began teaching an intermediate special education class in the Northwestern School District at West Springfield Elementary School . The class was moved to Albion in 1970 and was taken over by the Intermediate Unit 5 in 1973. She was listed in the 1976-77 Notable Americans in Child Development Professionals. She was a lifetime member of the PSEA and NEA, retiring in 1985 for health reasons. After retirement, she and her husband, Ralph traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada for 13 years visiting family and friends.
Margaret was a member of the Hickernell United Methodist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher, Junior Youth Fellowship leader, choir member, Secretary to the Administrative Board, and served as a delegate to the Annual United Methodist Conference at Grove City numerous times. She began the church?????s card ministry and assisted with the annual bazaar. One of her favorite pastimes, until losing her eyesight to Macular Degeneration, was doing needlepoint items that she donated to the bazaar and gifted family and friends.
A 69 year member of Hayfield Grange, Margaret first joined Rundells Grange and upon her marriage to Ralph demitted to Hayfield Grange There she served in many capacities including Secretary for 20 years, Lecturer, Family Activities Chairman, Junior Matron and Community Service Chairman. She was also a member of Crawford County Pomona Grange serving as Lecturer, Family Activities Chairman, and Youth/Young Adult Chairman. As a member of the PA State Grange she served on the State Women’s Activities Committee from 1969-1976 and also served as a State Junior Deputy. She was a member of the National Grange and attended many of the National Grange sessions. In October, 2003 she was named PA State Granger of the Year, and in November 2008 the Ralph Tau Family was recognized as the third place Family in the National Grange Family of the Year.
Margaret was a former member of the Crawford Unit of the American Cancer Society and in 1994 was named ACS Volunteer of the Year. She served on the Board, chaired Daffodil Days and assisted with hoagie sales to raise money for the Society.
She dedicated her life to her family, her Church and to Grange giving freely of herself and to the community. She believed strongly that you should give back to your community and rarely told anyone “no”?when asked to do something. She always found the time to help those in need while instilling the same attributes in her children. She was a wonderful cook and baker and at Christmas was generous giving gifts to the shut-ins, neighbors and friends with boxes of homemade cookies, candies and breads.
Family surviving Margaret include her husband, Ralph, of 61 years; six children -?Susan Tau of Saegertown; Chester Tau and wife, Michele of Springboro; Mary Beth Coyle and husband, Edwin of Cochranton; Virginia Pitts and her husband, Wesley of Sarasota, FL; Patricia Toussaint and her husband, Derek of New Buffalo, MI; and Daniel of Cody of WY. Also nine grandchildren – Michael Tau, Heather Tau, Brenda Tau, Jennifer Jones, Erin Colton, Eric Colton, Brandon Tau, Shauni Tau, and Gabrielle Toussaint; three great grandchildren -Jade Tau, Jacqueline Tau, and Emily Tau.
She was preceded in death in addition to her parents and step-mother, by a sister – JoAnn Smith and a grandson – Mark Tau.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9. Funeral services will be held at Hickernell United Methodist Church, 12048 Springboro Street, Springboro, PA on Friday morning at 11:00 a.m. Co-officiating are Reverend Robert Trask, pastor of the Church and Reverend Dixie Welker, Chaplain. Interment will be in Venango Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Hickernell United Methodist Church, Meadville Lions Club, or Hayfield Grange.
Wanted to send our sympathy and prayers. Julie had Mrs Tau as a teacher at Northwestern and my mother, Isabelle Hemstreet, taught many years with her Marcella and Julie Mooney
Dear Susan and Family,
We were saddened to hear about your Mother. She was a very nice person and will be greatly missed. Please know that we are thinking about you.
Jane and Madaline Thoman
Ralph and Family,
My Condolences and ptrayers are with you all. God has called Margaret home, and she is smiling down on you all. God Bless
Suzi
Dear Tau Family,
With heartfelt sympathy,you have our condolences.
The McMaster family
Susan, I apologize for sending this electronically but I am out of town and will be unable to attend viewing hours. Please know that you and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers. My deepest sympathies.
God bless,
mark stevens
Ginger, Wes and family: So sad to hear about your mom. After reading her notice, I see she had a long wonderful and life. Wow, she sounds like an amazing, caring, loving strong woman who loved her family and life. She will be missed by all I am sure! Cherish the memories of the good times and know that we are praying for comfort and peace for you as you say good bye to your mom.
Love and Blessings, Cher and Michael Rowe
Margaret was a very kind and sweet person. We were neighbors for only a short time, but I enjoyed our talks and she will be greatly missed! God Bless Margaret.
Ralph, Susan, Chester & Family,
I know how much Mom will be missed. She was certainly a guiding light. She always made me feel like a member of the family. She always invited me to sit by her at the Grange meetings. I never felt like an outsider with her at my side. It was my privledge to know her. God bless your family. She will look over all of us from heaven.
Barb
Dear Ginger and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your family’s loss but your mother’s wonderful gain. She sounds like such a wonderful and giving woman in the story of her life. We regret not meeting her. We look forward to meeting her some day though. Please know we are available for anything you need covered back here in Sarasota. Our prayers are with you.
Love Bill and Vesta
Dear Tau Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss….Your Mom was a dear friend and was a joy to be around. Steve and I have fond memories of visiting with her at the Crawford County Pomona meeting MANY year ago. Her infectious smile and warm laughter will be missed by many. We share your sorrow, and are keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers. We pray that God’s loving spirit will surround you during this difficult time.
Susan, Chester and family, Our thought and prayers are with you. May you always cherish the many memories of her life. What a great example and influence she was to so many people. May God be with you and give you peace in the coming months.
Our sympathies are with you. Harold and Marjorie Brown, Tioga County!
Susan and Chester & family,
Pat and I wish to share with our heart felt sympathy in the passing of your mom, Margaret. She has been a great woman and friend to many of us. It has been our pleasure getting to know her, you and your family. May God’s blessing to be with your family and extended family during this time of reflection upon her life in Christ on earth!
Your friends and pastor,
Pat and Tom Michalko
Dear Ralph and Family,
We are so very sorry for your loss of Margaret and will be praying for God’s comfort in your lives in the days ahead. We are so thankful for her life and that we shall see her again. With many fond memories and much love,
Stacey and Sharon
So very sorry to hear of “Mother” Margaret’s passing. What alot of wonderful memories I have from the time I have spent over the years at the house and also on my many travels with Susan. I have always felt that the doors were open to me at any time. Our sincere sympathy to the whole family, May God grant you peace with the knowledge that she now rests in the arms of the Lord. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
I am so sorry to hear of her passing. May God give you his peace in this time. His arms will support you and your family.
Dear Tau Family,
Sorry to hear about Margaret’s passing and know she has had a long, happy life. Remember the good times as we remember her service to grange and others. We enjoyed camping with Ralph and Margaret when they came with Law. Co. Camping Club. Our thoughts and prayers are with all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Ginger, at this time of loss. May you receive comfort in knowing that your Mother is in a peaceful place now.
Garris and Nancy
Heaven has a new shining star. Although our hearts are breaking we know she is shining down on us.Our deepest sympathy to the entire Tau Family. Margaret had a heart of gold and was a wonferful caring person. We will miss her.
Art, Iliene and Family
Dear Mike Tau & Family,
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss! You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May your memories comfort you and bring you some happiness in this time of sorrow.
It breaks my heart to learn of Margaret’s passing. What a wonderful person she was, and what a full and rich life she lived! She gave so much to so many. I send my love, friendship and sympathy to the entire Tau Family. Remembering the great times, mjk
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time of loss. It is a difficult time, but we pray for comfort for you.
My deepest Sympathy to Ralph and family.
Mary Beth,
So sorry for your loss. Please know I am here if you need anything. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. God Bless
Marcia Herr