Margaret C. Morse- Jandris

Margaret C. (MacDonald) Morse Jandris, 94, of Gardner, died peacefully, Sunday, May 10, 2020, in the Sterling Village Long Term Care Center, Sterling.

Born in New Castle, New Brunswick, Canada, on March 26, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Minnie (Russell) (Thayer) MacDonald.

She was predeceased by her husband Albert C. Jandris, who died in 2001, and Carlton Douglas Morse “Doug,” who died in 1966, and a brother Earle MacDonald.

Margaret is survived by two daughters, Marsha Morse-LaCroix and her husband David LaCroix of Hubbardston, and Heidi (Jandris) Sloan and her husband Jason Sloan of Gardner; one son, Dana Morse and his wife Darlene of Gardner; two sisters, Eloise Carlson of Georgia, and Rosemary Raymond of Gardner; five grandchildren, Daniel, James, and Benjamin Morse, Jane LaCroix and Armande “Ari” Sloan; two great-grandchildren, Harrison and Bentley; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Margaret traveled from New Brunswick, Canada at 3-months of age with her older brother and mother to settle in Athol, MA.

She worked as a telephone operator supervisor for many years. She married and moved to Petersham with her first husband. After his sudden death, she later remarried and moved to Gardner, where she has lived for the past 40+ years.  

She raised her three children as well as Patty (Melanson) Jordan of Taunton; and for a short time, her brother William Melanson of Orange; and was a caregiver for many children.

She was a homemaker who loved and treasured time spent with her family. She loved freestyle and belly dancing. She loved to sing, socialize, laugh, and be the life of the party. She loved to play ping pong and catch. She was “not your average grandma,” according to one of her grandkids. There was no cookie baking in HER kitchen, but the earthy fragrance of freshly juiced beets, carrots, garlic, and celery will be fondly remembered.

Funeral Services will be announced at a later date. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Ahimsa Haven Animal Rescue, 381 Baldwinville Road, Templeton, MA 01468. Please reference in memory of Margaret C. Jandris.