Margaret Ruth Bormolini-Lanham

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Margaret Ruth Bormolini-Lanham, 98 who died peacefully at her residence at Apple Rehab on Friday, June 9, 2023 after a short illness.  Margaret was the widow of Rev. Charles W. Lanham who served in the New York Conference retiring in 1987.
 
Born April 18, 1925 in Watertown, CT, Margaret was the daughter of Raymond J. and Hazel (Williams) Black.  She had lived most of her early life in the Watertown area working as a Bookkeeper. Margaret had attended local schools and graduated from Watertown High School.  She had also attended Post Jr. College, Simmons College and graduated from UConn with a Master’s degree in Nutrition.

Throughout the years, she enjoyed riding horses on her Dad’s farm, especially her favorite horse named “Major.” She also enjoyed shopping, knitting, golfing, and boating with her family while they waterskied. Margaret loved bowling, working on puzzles, and prior to her deafness, listening to music, particularly the Hallelujah Chorus and Amazing Grace. She had a love for sea turtles and spending time at the beach, both in Cape Cod and in Florida.

After she had become a minister's wife, she was very active in the churches he served, both in CT and in NY. She helped to set up the computer system at the United Methodist Church in Winsted, and was also instrumental with the Fidelco Guide Dogs for the blind while living in Florida. In her late years, she loved to use her iPad to keep in touch with family and friends, and to occupy her time playing online games with those that were up for the challenge. Margaret was an avid exerciser, up to the day before her passing. She loved to sit in her room and look out her window watching the squirrels, the birds and the traffic passing by. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and kept up on all of their activities. 

Survivors include her son, Stephen (Diane) Bormolini of Watertown, two daughters, Joan (Scott) Christian of Canaan, NH and Deborah (Curtis) Newsome of Prospect, CT; two granddaughters, Danelle Newsome and Sarah E. Bormolini, three great grandchildren, Jocelyn Dumaine, Jaydan Woodruff and Jordyn Woodruff, four step-daughters; and several nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husbands, William A. Bormolini and Rev. Charles W. Lanham; her brother, Frederick E. Black and a sister, Virginia G. Dietz.  

Memorial Services will be on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 11:00am at the Waterbury United Methodist Church, 250 Country Club Road with Rev. Sandy Mantz officiating.  Burial will be private.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Meniers Research through the Hearing Health Foundation, P.O. Box 1397, NY, NY 10018

“PLEASE DO NOT WEAR BLACK WHEN MOURNING FOR ME. REMEMBER MY LIFE WITH HAPPY MEMORIES BY WEARING COLORS THAT I LOVE!”