Margaret Carmody
On Friday, March
25, Margaret Carmody came to the end of her long and accomplished life. At the age of 100, she was a piece of living history. Margaret was born on September 5, 1921, in
Glen Ridge, New Jersey, living much of her childhood in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Bahamas. She returned to the United States to attend high school, fluent in Spanish and intent on professional ballet training in New York. She enjoyed success with her dedication to dance and held herself with grace and composure until her last days. She attended Sullins College in Bristol, Virginia, both as a student and a ballet instructor. As with all of her generation, the trajectory of her life was changed by World War II, and—at the age of 21—she made the independent and patriotic decision to enlist in the Women’s Army Corp in May 1943. She was quickly selected to enter Officer Candidate School and graduated as the youngest member of her class. From there, she rose in officer ranks, becoming a captain and an executive commander of 200 enlisted women in France. Margaret was one of the original WACs and, as she often said, among the first “women’s libbers”! She remained on active duty until June of 1946, receiving several medals for her service.
Amidst the uncertainty of the times, a propitious meeting occurred. Margaret caught the eye of a major by the name of John Carmody at their initial military processing base, and that was that! After both returned from service in different combat theaters, they married at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, in full uniform and standing in front of a jeep. On that day, John wore the Army officer insignia of major, and Margaret wore the insignia of captain. It was the family joke that this was the last day that he outranked her! As a now-married woman, Margaret had to resign her commission, while her husband continued his military career for 33 more years. Their marriage was a loving one with a happy balance of different roles that held equal importance. They brought up their three children—Sheila Hudson (David), Jack Carmody, and Martha Carmody—with loving attention, clear expectations, and devoted support. Margaret’s loyalty to family saw continued fulfillment in the next generation. To her adored grandchildren, Nana was the first to encourage and the last to stop applauding. She saw the unique talents in each one of her seven grandchildren, and she attended every possible event in their lives. Nothing was ever more important. The beneficiaries of her deep love are Stephanie Rogers (Steve), Sarah Austin (Karl), Robert Carmody (Tim), Susan Kainaroi (Matt), Stephen White (Jessica), Connor White (Annabeth), and Kevin White. Due to the wonder of her long life, Nana also lived to see five great grandchildren: Alyssa and Kareena Rogers, Lucy White, Hazel White, and Liliana Kainaroi. Margaret additionally held deep loyalty and abiding love for her sister, Martha MacDonald, and her son-in-law, Blake White. All were true sources of joy for her.
Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Col. John Carmody, in 1991. She lived an expanse of over 30 years in independent widowhood; for her, John was irreplaceable. In her last year, she endured an unbearable heartache with the death of her adored grandson, Stephen White.
It has been said that relationship is the deepest poetry. In that regard, our mother’s life was a sonnet: poised, measured, and almost always expressing some form of love.
Margaret will be laid to rest with her husband at Santa Fe National Cemetery, on Friday, May 13, at 12:45 p.m. A reception honoring her life will follow on May 14th.. Comments are welcome on her online obituary through www.FrenchFunerals.com.