Margery A. Stephens – 69 – of 1244 Maple Court, Hornell, died early Sunday morning (December 5, 2010) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, surrounded by her loving family, following a long illness.

Born in Hornell on August 6, 1941, she was the daughter of Leo & Kathryn (Mosher) Watkins.

Margery grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1959).  She later earned her beautician’s license from Hornell BOCEES.  She was employed for a time at Donna Beaver’s Hair Salon in Hornell and for several years owned & operated The Beauty Mark out of her own home.

She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and had been a communicant of St. Ignatius Loyola Church and later St. Ann’s Church.  Margery was a life member and past officer of Alpha Zeta Beta (AZB) Sorority.  She was also an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

Margery was an avid reader and had a deep love of animals, especially her Bassett Hounds.  Before giving one of her beloved Bassett Hounds away, she would routinely “interview” the receiving party to make sure they were worthy of one of her beloved dogs.

She enjoyed playing the Slot Machines and loved “testing her luck” at the casinos in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Niagara Falls & Salamanca.  Margery loved to entertain her many friends at her home, especially on Friday nights.  Her family & friends lovingly referred to her home as “Six Pack Alley”.

Without a doubt, Margery’s true joy in life was her family!  She was a loving wife, mother & grandmother who was remained “Best Friends” with her husband, children & grandchildren.  She will be sadly missed by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing her.

Margery was preceded in death by her grandson, Joshua Wing; 2 sisters, Betty Seward and Kathleen Brown.

She was married on June 25, 1960 to Kenneth E. “Ken” Stephens who survives.  Also surviving are 2 sons, Kenneth Stephens, JR of Arkport and Scott (Tammy) Stephens of Canaseraga; 2 daughters, Kathryn (Patrick) Wing of Hornell and Erin (Richard) Smith of Dansville; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces & nephews.

The family of Margery a. Stephens will receive friends on Wednesday from 4:00 PM  –  7:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Margery’s family request that memorial contributions in her name be made to the American Cancer Society, 13 Beech St., Johnson City, NY 13790.  Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.