Margaret Ann Seavy Catts

Margaret Ann Seavy Catts, age 91, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

Born in Cranford, NJ, on December 25, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Marion and Edna (Roessing) Seavy. She grew up in Cranford, graduating from Cranford High School in 1949. Margaret graduated from the University of Delaware in 1953 with a degree in Home Economics. She married fellow Cranford resident and UD graduate Elmer Paul Catts, Jr., on July 5, 1952.  After living in Massachusetts, Delaware and California, the family, now with two children, returned to Newark in 1963 when Paul accepted a position in the College of Agriculture at the University of Delaware. Margaret and Paul raised their family in Robscott Manor. After 25 years of marriage, the couple divorced in 1978. Beginning in 1981 Margaret started a new, challenging, and rewarding chapter in her life, working as the executive director at Newark Senior Center until her retirement in 1997. She was instrumental in the construction of the senior center at its present location. In that same year, Margaret was honored as a “local hero” by MBNA, receiving the Excellence in Community Service Award for her efforts on behalf of the Newark Senior Center and the Meals on Wheels Delaware Program. Margaret also served her community as a member of the City of Newark Community Development/Revenue Sharing Committee.

After retirement she stayed active, volunteering with the Newark Lions Club, The Newark Soroptimists, and the Grand Opera House in Wilmington. She also took positions with the Christina Educational Enrichment Fund, Minster’s Jewelers and the University of Delaware Bookstore. In addition to music and theater, Margaret appreciated art, cooking, travel, gardening, doing puzzles, socializing with old friends and meeting new people. She loved to travel and see the world. The family crisscrossed the country several times on road trips, and in retirement Margaret traveled with family and friends to such locales as Alaska, Mexico, the Natchez Trace, Nova Scotia, train travel across Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Margaret was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church of Newark, where she served in many volunteer and leadership roles. She enjoyed lasting friendships as part of her church community, valuing the church services, hymns, and Circle discussions.

In addition to her parents, Margaret was preceded in death by her brothers, Harvey “Gus” Seavy and Garth R. Seavy. She is survived by her children, Glenn P. Catts (Kathleen) and Wade P. Catts (Lynn Riley); grandchildren, Shannon Bennett (Corinne), Kevin Catts, and Grace Catts; and great-grandchildren, Elise, Murphee, and Rowan Bennett.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church, 292 West Main Street, Newark, DE, 19711 where a memorial service will follow at 11 am. Interment will be held privately. Any family or friends who are unable to attend the service for Margaret may livestream the service by clicking here.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Margaret’s memory to the First Presbyterian Church or to the Newark Senior Center, 200 White Chapel Drive, Newark, DE 19713 or online by clicking here.