Margaret Cleary

Margaret (Jones) Cleary, age 76 of Cheshire, entered into rest on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at Hartford Hospital. She was the devoted wife of Paul Cleary for over 50 years. Margaret was born on November 14, 1949 in Piermont, NY, daughter of the late John Paul and Margaret (Burgholtz) Jones.

Margaret was an alumna of Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden and earned her bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate from Southern Connecticut State University. A devout Catholic, Margaret was a teacher at St. Stanislaus School in Meriden and later at St. Thomas School in West Hartford. She was an avid reader who loved music and learned to play the flute later in life.

She will be remembered for her humility, kindness, and gentle nature.

In addition to her husband, Paul of Cheshire, Margaret is survived by her brother, John Paul Jones Jr. and his wife, Shelly of Richmond, VA; her brother-n-law, Richard Cleary and his wife, Rita of New Haven; her sister-in-law, Gretchen Schaffner and her husband, Beat Schaffner of Aiken, SC; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother-in-law, Edward Cleary.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 10AM at St. Bridget of Sweden Parish-St. Bridget Church, 175 Main Street, Cheshire, CT 06410. (Please meet directly at church.) Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 700 Middletown Avenue, North Haven. Memorial contributions may be made to the Monastery of Our Lady of Grace, by visiting www.dominicannuns.org or to the Little Sisters of the Poor, by visiting www.littlesistersofthepoorconnecticut.org. The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home is assisting with her arrangements. To leave online condolences for her family, please visit www.fordfh.com