Margaret Rose Swarthout

Elmira: Age 77, passed away on Monday, November 10, 2025, at Corning Hospital. Margo is predeceased by her birth parents Thomas and Bereniece (LaFever) Murphy and her foster parents Francis and Margaret Steed. She is also predeceased by her siblings, Mike and Tom, and brother-in-law Ted Coolbaugh. Margo is survived by her loving husband Gary L. Swarthout; children and their families, Kathleen Harding with Phillip Fletcher, and her children, Maggie, Matthew, Christopher and Sean…Christina and Ryan Dewey with sons, Alex and Logan…Amy Danna and son Dominic, all of Elmira…Dr. Brian Zebrowski of Lutz FL and children, Gavin, Gabby and GiGi; great grandchildren, Ellie and Josie; her Steed “siblings”, Bridget, Catherine, T.C., Barbara and Michael; sister Patty Murphy; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, James and Roseanne Swarthout, Carol Coolbaugh and Duane Swarthout; along with several nieces and nephews.

Born and raised in Elmira, Margo was a 1967 graduate of Elmira Free Academy. She then went on to Elmira College. Margo worked in the Elmira City Chamberlain’s office for several years prior to going to work for the Chemung County Family Court, from where she retired. After retiring she cared for her grandsons. Margo enjoyed fishing, music, dancing and shopping, aka retail therapy. She enjoyed her dogs, along with the occasional cat that came along.

Services for Margo will be held on Monday, November 17, 2025, at St. Mary’s Church, Elmira. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., followed by a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial. Interment, with committal prayers, will then follow at St. Peter & Paul’s Cemetery.

A livestream of the Mass will be available through the Facebook page for Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish (https://www.facebook.com/ElmiraCatholic). 

Those wishing may remember Margo with a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105.