Margaret Farrell Kruse, age 82, of N. Andover, MA, formerly of Piscataway, NJ, died on January 28, 2012.
She was born on July 12, 1929 in New York City, the daughter of Michael Henry and Margaret Ruth (Griffin) Farrell. She majored in history at Barnard College, at which time she met her future husband of 60 years, Theodore Kruse. She maintained a life-long interest in history, art and current events, and served on the boards of numerous civic and volunteer organizations. As a member of the League of Women Voters, she studied how the dearth of low-income housing shaped communities and this interested her in zoning issues. This work lead to her being appointed to Piscataway’s Civil Rights Advisory Commission and also the Zoning Board of Adjustments. She was later elected to Piscataway’s Town Council. After moving to the Edgewood Retirement Community in North Andover, she wrote articles for the Edgewood News and served on the Resident Council.
She is survived by her husband, Ted, and their four children and their spouses, John and Nanciann (Zimmitti) Kruse of Minneapolis, MN; Elizabeth Kruse of Arlington, VA; Margaret N. Kruse and Richard Cloutier of Andover, MA; and Sally Kruse and Mark Rowland of Hamden, CT. She also leaves six grandchildren, Jennica and Brenna Kruse, Joseph and Theresa Cloutier, and Margaret and Kathleen Rowland. She was predeceased by her sister Helen Farrell and is survived by her sister Ruth Ways of Normandy Park, WA, and numerous nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial service was held on Feb. 4 at Edgewood in N. Andover. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
