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Margaret Rose Busa Stocksdale “Midge” went to Heaven on March 24, 2024. Born in Meriden, Connecticut on July 22, 1932, during the Great Depression to Italian and Irish immigrants, Midge’s large Italian family influenced her upbringing and instilled a passion for life and her strength to raise 5 children. At Meriden’s High School, she excelled in academics and as the Cheerleading Captain developed her leadership skills and found friends forever. On a blind date in 1950, Midge met Bill and we will never be sure if it was his sweet smile or the Navy uniform that persuaded her to “Say Yes to the Dress” and walk down the aisle escorted by her beloved brother Larry. Midge and Bill settled in Maryland and over the next 10 years welcomed home 5 beautiful babies. As you can imagine, Midge was very busy between school, PTA’s, dance lessons, Girl Scouts, little league, bowling and her waitress position at Velleggia’s in Little Italy, then Pellington’s Iron Horse and later as a maître de at Velleggia’s Towson. When time allowed, she went back to school to get her Real Estate license, landing on the Dean’s List with an AA degree. She was consistently a Top Producer at Caton ERA Realty, finding just the right home for her clients, many of whom became friends. Christmas was Midge’s favorite holiday. Her celebrations always included a large family open house on Christmas Eve with the annual Christmas carol sing-along, the highlight being the Twelve Days of Christmas carol. After retirement Midge filled her days between grandchildren and her new puppy, Sallie, or Silly Sallie as she was best known, her Wired Hair Fox Terrier. She also became an excellent cross-stitcher and great gardener in her Mt. Airy, MD mother-in-law suite.
After many years living in Mt. Airy, MD with her son, Larry and daughter-in-law, Carla, Midge followed her daughters to Santa Rosa Beach, FL and in 2020 relocated to Highlands, NC.
Midge was pre-deceased by her parents, Antonio Busa and Rose Anne Farrell Busa, her husband William John ‘Bill’ Stocksdale, her grandson John Henry ‘Johnny’ Stocksdale and Silly Sallie. Left with many colorful and love filled ‘Midge’ stories are her 5 children Amelia Rose ‘Melle’ McCafferty of Highlands, NC, William Anthony ‘Tony’ Stocksdale (Charlotte) of Myrtle Beach, SC, Linda Lee Hendrickson of Mt. Airy, MD, John ‘Larry’ Stocksdale (Carla) of Mt. Airy, MD, and Jeanne Marie McNellis (Daniel) of Highlands, NC and her beloved brother Larry Busa of Castleton-on-Hudson, NY. Also 6 grandchildren, Jim Stocksdale, Brook Hendrickson, Blair Hendrickson, Jackson
Stocksdale, Will McCafferty and Ben Stocksdale and 7 great-grands.
In remembrance of Midge and what would have made her happiest is for you to put up a big tree, decorate extravagantly and celebrate Christmas with your family and loved ones. Midge loved Christmas.
A gathering of friends and family is being planned for late summer 2024.
Georgia Cremation Duluth is assisting the family with arrangements.
Dan Mcnellis says
❤️ A beautiful woman, who will be remembered fondly. She was solid as a rock and loved all “her” family.
Loved her!
Dan McNellis
Betsy Colbeth says
Midge was such a lovely lady! I wish I could have known her better~ Her love and legacy will live on through her amazing family❤️
With love,
Betsy Colbeth
Corey says
Midge was a positive force to be reckoned with! She loved many and many loved her. She made an impact on this world!
With Love,
Corey, Tanya, Teagan, Cayden and Madison
Lucy says
What a lovely tribute for a lovely woman!
We feel fortunate to have known Midge and are grateful for our times spent together.
Midge taught me how to make risotto, and I think of her every time I make it 😋
Her loving and feisty spirit will remain in the hearts of many. 💕
With much love and condolences to all of her family. ~ Lucy McNellis and Pat Collins family
Kim McNaughton says
I’m so grateful to have been positively influenced by this powerful woman in my formative years and beyond. She will always be in my heart and I have so many gifts in my home from her Christmas gifts. She was a talented “gifter” too! She came to my 3rd grade ballet recital and I’ll always remember her kind works to me afterwards. Love her forever and always!
Deb Vincent says
I don’t remember how old I was when I met Midge, but it would have been close to the time Judy, Kim and Jessica did. I remember her being a great friend to Judy and a positive presence in the Taylor home. I didn’t remember she and Jessica share the same birthday 🙂
I am most thankful for the amazing real estate agent she was. Midge helped my husband and I purchase our first home in our 20’s. She patiently took David and I to see homes in Carroll, Howard and Anne Arundel county. When we finally found a home in Anne Arundel county in 1998, she gave us the courage to stretch what we could spending. We trusted her and it paid off. We truly couldn’t be in the home we have now if it wasn’t for Midge.
Thank you Midge! I’ll be thinking about you this coming Christmas when I bring out all the decorations.
Judy Jaudon says
This tribute captures Midge so beautifully. She was truly a remarkable woman and will live in our hearts forever. She lived her life with exuberance and passion and was always ready to tackle the next life adventure. Her Christmas gifts are legend – my favorite holiday decorations are all from Midge, including the Twelve Days of Christmas box! Rest peacefully our dear soul!
Susan Dalrymple says
I have so many wonderful memories of Midge. She had such positive energy and was always busy. Midge was a doer. She cooked, she baked , she painted, she gardened. She would rake the leaves in the woods! She loved all animals, most especially Sallie. Midge was so generous and loved to give gifts. She had great taste and an excellent eye. Many of the gifts she gave us over the years are displayed in our house. Much of the Judaica we have are gifts from Midge! She enjoyed my Orange-Pineapple cake, and I loved making it for her. The Christmas decorations in her apartment were epic! When my Mom passed away, Midge wrote a beautiful letter that I’ll never forget. One of a kind. Small, but mighty. A life well lived.
Blair Hendrickson says
Would of loved to seen my grandmother for a couple of years before she passed but family drama stopped that.
I appreciate the grandmother she was and great grandmother she was to my son.