A Lifetime of Philanthropy

Dedicating time and resources to helping others has been a lifelong journey for Margaret Wisniewski. As a child in the early 1940s, she learned to knit so that she could make sweaters and scarves to aid the war-torn British citizens during the “Bundles for Britain” humanitarian campaign during World War II. She continues to use those skills to knit hats and blankets for local hospitals along with the personal requests she receives from friends and family.

Margaret has been a dedicated volunteer in each stage of her life. Having graduated from Queens College as a math major, she was a natural choice for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program that helped Floridians prepare their tax returns. She continues this work at the Comsewogue Public Library. Also while living in Florida with her late husband Stan, she worked with the Indian River State College and even had a math classroom dedicated in her name. In addition to the classroom, Margaret set up an annual scholarship at the college for deserving women. This scholarship was especially meaningful for Margaret because the award would go to a woman who had some life experience before being able to enter college.

Margaret and Stan split their time between Miller Place and Fort Pierce, Florida; and after Stan passed away, Margaret returned to New York to be closer to family. As a resident of Jefferson Ferry, in South Setauket, Margaret has continued to volunteer at their general store, which stocks items for residents who are house-bound and not able to go shopping. As members of the community, Margaret and Stan were involved with Mather Hospital throughout the years. In an effort to help support the Hospital, Margaret has arranged a bequest in her will, “because my husband and I received wonderful care through the years at Mather and this is where we live; this is my home—you give back to where you live.”

Margaret has touched the hearts and lives of so many, and her generosity and thoughtfulness will live on in posterity.