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Theresa Megargee passed away at the age of 96 on Oct. 1, in the comfort of her home after a long illness.

She will be missed by family and friends. She was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Thomas E. Megargee of Madison. She was also predeceased by her sisters Rena Mayette and Pearl Barkley of Plattsburgh, New York, Leona Daugert of Glens Falls, New York, and Grace Cashman of Hartford and her brothers Alfred Mayette, Walter Mayette, Robert Mayette of Dannemora, New York, and Carl Mayette of Plattsburgh, New York.

She is survived by her daughter Pamela Scudieri and husband Michael of Glastonbury; sons Thomas C. Megargee of Madison, Michael L. Megargee and wife Mary of Madison, and Robert L. Megargee and husband Jonathan Possidente of Los Angeles, California; five grandchildren, Dylan T. Megargee of Columbia, Melissa Dydyn and husband Damian of Bassett, Virginia, Stephanie Merwin and husband Michael Bates of Washington, D.C., Kelly Rinaldi and husband Randy of Middletown, and Kim Megargee of Madison; and four great-grandchildren.

She was a trailblazer, a woman ahead of her time. She was the first female in her family to graduate from college in 1948 and she went on to become a physical education teacher in Peru, New York and later, East Hartford. She was instrumental in changing the dress code so female P.E. teachers could wear shorts and slacks instead of skirts. She was an inventor, holding many patents for her creations. Her creativity knew no bounds. She designed costumes and decorations for Scranton Library, The Country School, and many other town productions. Her children and grandchildren always had the most creative Halloween costumes. She loved the arts, most especially singing and dancing. She loved the outdoors and never forgot her North Country roots. She spent years of research dispelling the myth of “Champy,” the Lake Champlain Monster, submitting proof that it was sturgeon breaching in the lake.

She created countless memories for her grandchildren: summers filled with beach days, canoe rides, campfire sing-alongs, and Michigan hot dogs on the shores in Madison and Lake Champlain; winters where there were days filled with ice skating and nights always found a fire in the fireplace to warm up by. She filled hearts with music and tales of magical times. Grandma’s house was a treasure. She was a treasure. Memories of her will always live on.

There are no formal arrangements at this time and no flowers, please. Donations on her behalf can be made to: VNA Community Healthcare & Hospice,753 Boston Post Road, Suite 200, Guilford CT 06437 or Saint George Food Pantry, 33 Whitfield Street, Guilford CT 06437. Arrangements are in the care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.