Margaret Mary Carney, formerly Maher, age 97, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2026, in Moorestown, New Jersey. Margaret was born to Mary Jane ("Mae") Bruce and Michael Joseph Maher in Port Moll, Argentia, in Newfoundland on June 8, 1928. Raised with eight siblings, she spent her life surrounded by family. After the family home was expropriated during WWII for an American military base, they moved to nearby Freshwater, Placentia Bay. Like many locals, Margaret met and married a U.S. Naval Sailor, Robert ("Bob") Carney.

As a military couple, they ping-ponged up and down the Eastern seaboard multiple times, living in Virginia, Newfoundland, South Carolina, Florida, Virginia again, and then Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Margaret had seven children, and Bob rose to the rank of chief petty officer before retiring. They then settled among other military families in Willingboro, New Jersey.

Margaret discovered her love of retail work in 1968, when she began work as a salesgirl at Lit Brothers. She thrived on working, meeting people, teaching new hires, and generally being helpful. Deeply proud of working into her 80s, she reached District Manager and worked at From Here to Maternity, Budget Uniform, and Strawbridges/Macy's. In her 70s, her sharp mind and people skills made employers beg her to still take managerial positions, but she opted for part-time and direct customer interaction.

Slowing down allowed her to enjoy time with her grandchildren, Daniel and Kyle Holl, Joseph Hansell, and Megan Sieg. She loved spending long summer days at Sylvan Lake in Burlington, wading in to play with them even though she never learned to swim. Later, Daniel married Annie Fox, whose son Tivon ("Tivi") Fox became her instant great-grandchild. Years later, his younger brother, Oren Fox-Holl, was born, and their "GG" cherished her time with both of them.

For the last 20 years, Margaret lived with Michele and her family in New Jersey. A voracious reader with no use for technology, she resisted all attempts to switch her to an e-reader instead of a magnifying glass with real books. She loved taking trips to stay with her daughter, Christine Jones, and her husband, Jerry. Margaret also enjoyed social bus excursions for seniors to Atlantic City, where her luck with the slots sometimes garnered VIP treatment. Her family knew that she would never pull punches when verbally sparring, ready with her quick wit and unafraid to speak her mind. She was also quick to offer a cup of tea, and the kids insist that she made the world's best devilled eggs.

Margaret is survived by daughters Catherine (late Scott) Sieg, Michele (late Thomas) Holl, Joann Carney, Christine (Jerry) Jones; grandchildren Daniel (Annie Fox) Holl, Joseph Hansell, Kyle Holl, Megan (Nick) Muehleisen; great-grandchildren Tivi Fox and Oren Fox-Holl; and siblings Ted Maher, Anne Marie Sullivan, and Pauline DePaulo.

She is predeceased by her husband, Robert Carney; sons, Joseph Carney and Harold Carney; daughter, Patricia Childs; and siblings Daniel Pius Maher, Jim Maher, Michael Maher, Mary Neary, and Johannah Marie Eichhorn.

Visitation for Margaret will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026 from 4:00–5:00 p.m. at:

Weber Funeral Home

112 Broad Street

Riverton, NJ

856-829-2700

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.weberfuenralhomeinc.com

The family requests donations in lieu of flowers be sent to:

Riverton Free Library

306 Main Street, Riverton, NJ 08077

http://rivertonfreelibrary.org/

https://rivertonfreelibrary.org/support-our-library/