Margaret Jean Paulson

Margaret Jean Sievewright was born the day after Christmas, December 26,1931. She was the first child for Margaret (Peggy) and Roy of Kearny, NJ. The oldest of 6, she learned very early the importance of love and family, often babysitting and caring for her siblings, Carole, Buddy, George and Diane. Baby sister Marilyn came along later.

Marge attended Kearny public schools, and at 16 was on a date with another young man to Greenwood Lake, when she met the love of her life, Charlie Paulson. They married on September 30,1950 and had almost 60 years together before Charlie died in 2008. Along the way they shared many adventures, including raising four children and welcoming seven grandchildren and eight great grand-babies, all of them touched by Marge ‘s legacy of love, compassion, and kindness.

Marge and Charlie moved to a small house in Midland Park in 1955 where they spent the rest of their lives. Marge was an active member of the PTA for all four kids, as well as a member of the Midland Park Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She marched in many parades and served coffee to the volunteers during fires. She was also involved with the very first Graduation Ball for the Class of 1977.

Marge was also a founding member of the Midland Park Magic Scholarship Group. Most famously, she appeared as Dolly and impressed everybody with her musical talent. In some ways, Marge was a frustrated artist, always wishing she had been able to study art. Her sister Marilyn introduced her to many wonderful artists and artwork that she was able to appreciate on social media.

Marge and Charlie made sure that their family spent time every summer at the Jersey shore, usually Seaside Park. She also enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Sweden, England, France, Spain, and many many cruises with friends and family.

Her employment career began early as a babysitter to her siblings and later as a clerk in a department store. She went on to working as an operator in Newark for the telephone company. The next years were spent raising her four children and volunteering for various community and church activities. After a couple of years assisting in a Ridgewood dress shop, Marge made the bold choice to go corporate, despite Charlie’s hesitation. She spent years as a receptionist at Minolta in Mahwah, and then for Sharplan Lasers in Allendale. Hers was the first face or voice employees and customers were greeted with.

After retiring, Marge enjoyed frequent bingo games with her best friend Jane, going to luncheons and sharing time and love with her family. Weekly football pools were hotly and seriously debated and picks chosen with children and grandchildren. The NY GIants obviously were her favorite team. She also reveled in scratch off lottery tickets and held on to the hope of one day winning a big one.

Her grandchildren were proud to boast about their technologically savvy grandmother, who kept up with Facebook, Instagram, Wordle, Words With Friends, frequent texting, Face Timing and shopping and paying bills online. She also used Venmo.

We know she was greeted at the gates of heaven by Charlie, her mom and dad, and numerous others, who were waiting for her to get there. They surely asked, “What took you so long, Marge?”

Marge Paulson will never be forgotten by her children Barbara and Rusty Dockrill, Dale and Lee Tracy, Curt and Diane Paulson, and Allan and Carolyn Paulson. Grandchildren Shawn and Ellen, Kelly and Jon, Ryan and Kara, Alyssa and RT, Tim and Leela, McKenna, Kate and Evan, will all continue to share her legacy with great grands Ava, Charlie, Hunter, Kendall, Olson, Tessa, Archie, Colette and any more to come. Brother George and sisters, Diane and Marilyn as well as countless nieces and nephews who will all deeply miss, forever love and never forget her.

The family sends grateful appreciation to the Midland Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps and would appreciate any donations made in Marge’s name be directed to them. Also, many thanks to VNA nurses and hospice angels who helped ease her transition to her next adventures. Cremation was private but we will be celebrating her long and loving life in the near future.

Please remember to always be kind to one another.

Services are entrusted to Jersey Shore Cremation Service, 43 Taylor Avenue, Manasquan, NJ - JerseyShoreCremation.com