HANOVER, NH — Margot Krause McCaffrey died on October 29, 2020 at her home in Hanover, NH at age 96. She was born in Berlin, Germany and grew up in Leipzig, Germany where she attended school and then studied medicine at Leipzig University. During the Nazi regime her family was involved in the resistance movement and after the war she and her family fled across the Iron Curtain to West Germany.
She worked a short time in West Germany then emigrated to America where she found employment and married William McCaffrey. In New York State she received a Master’s degree from Manhattanville College, taught elementary school science and remedial reading in Pleasantville, and raised a family in Croton. She was interested in genealogy, music, and art. After retirement in 1987, she moved to New Hampshire and started running in and officiating at Dartmouth College track meets along with her husband, Bill. They moved to the retirement community Kendal at Hanover where she served on the resident’s council and as its secretary. Margot was an adult literacy volunteer, sang in the Kendal chorale, played recorder with the Kendal chamber music group, and was active in gardening and hiking.
Her grandfather Aurel Krause led a Geographic Society-funded expedition with his brother Arthur in 1881 to Alaska to study the Tlingit Indians. A book written to document their findings is still used today. Margot enjoyed travel also, having visited many countries throughout the world and most states in America, enjoying the National Parks in particular. On a trip to Alaska, she followed her grandfather’s expedition route.
Margot was predeceased by her husband, two sisters and two sisters-in-law. Margot leaves her son Michael McCaffrey with wife Deborah Mason-McCaffrey of Reading, MA, daughters Bridget McCaffrey of Arlington, MA and Erika McCaffrey, with husband Dana Rizzotti of Boston, MA, and three grandsons, Erik, Ian and Sean. She also leaves two brothers, Hans Juergen Krause and Hartmut Krause, a sister Gerhilde, with husband Uwe Schloesser, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made in her memory to the Kendal at Hanover Emergency Staff Relief Fund or the Haines Sheldon Museum in Haines, AK 99827.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Contact: Erika McCaffrey, 1A Appian Way, Allston, MA 02134.