Margaret Ann Adair

Thoughtful, steadfast, and quick-witted, Margaret Ann Adair lived a life rich in faith, family, and friends. Never one to demand the spotlight, Margaret found her joy in life’s simple pleasures, especially spending time with those she loved. Whether supporting her family, pursuing her creative side, tending her home, or playing cards, Margaret welcomed each moment as a gift. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Margaret will long be remembered and deeply missed.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression,1930 beheld a power of hope that undulated in the hearts of many. With a natural drive not just to endure but to thrive in the face of uncertainty, the nation continued to put one foot in front of the other to build a better future. Nowhere was there a greater sense of hope than in the Cagney home as they welcomed their daughter, Margaret Ann, on October 3, in West Michigan.

Margaret’s father was a deputy sheriff, and her mother was a nurse. Sadly, her father died when Margaret was just two years old. She and her mother lived with another woman for a time, and they forged a close lifelong relationship. Though her mother kept her on the straight and narrow, Margaret enjoyed dressing up her German Shepherd, “Queen,” and allowing her to do anything.

In November 1949, after a friend talked her into attending a dance, Margaret met her future husband, Darrell Adair. By the end of that evening, Darrell was completely smitten and asked Margaret to marry him. Though she didn’t say yes, she also wasn’t scared off. Over the coming days, weeks, and months, they fell in love and began planning to spend the rest of their lives together.

On August 26, 1950, Darrell and Margaret exchanged their marriage vows in a wedding ceremony at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kalamazoo. As Darrell was serving in the U.S. Army, the newlyweds made their first home at Camp Pickett in Blackstone, Virginia.

In time, the family grew to include four children, Linda, Diane, Steve, and Sherri. Following Darrell’s discharge from the Army, the family moved to Kalamazoo, where they lived in the home they built for 15 years. A good mother, Margaret, was thoughtful and always present, providing her children with love and support. While Linda, Diane and Steve attended St Monica's, Margaret worked in the school’s cafeteria.

The yin to Darrell’s yang, Margaret was more reserved than her outgoing husband. Together, they liked to play cards with other couples. They also enjoyed camping and would occasionally go dancing with friends from their work and neighborhood circles. They eventually lived at Klines Resort in Three Rivers. Naturally headstrong, Margaret’s Irish temper was best evidenced when she loaded up the old car “Nellie Belle” and drove to Miller Lake after Darrell didn’t show up following a fishing trip. The car died after steaming just as much as her, and the evening ended with spaghetti on the wall.

When asked, Margaret denied her age. She also didn’t act her age and was proud to live to 95. Always active, she enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and ceramics. She also enjoyed hosting family events. She made the best meatloaf, and her quick wit often resulted in whip-fast comebacks. She was a loving daughter, and Margaret’s mother lived with the family in Portage.

As we celebrate Margaret’s life, may we find comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in carrying her legacy forward. In each moment we host a family event, explore our creativity, enjoy a homemade meatloaf, go camping, or take to the dance floor with our beloved, we keep Margaret’s memory alive and inspiring others as she inspired us.

Margaret’s family includes her “favorites:” 4 children, Linda (Paul) Matyas, Diane Adair-Williams, Stephen Adair, and Sherri Adair; and 2 grandchildren, Brian Matyas and Tammy (Craig) Longenecker.

Please join us at a Life Story Service on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900 with a visitation and prayer service beginning at 10:30AM. Burial will take place later at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Celebrate Margaret’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital.