Margaret O'Hara-Newton

     Margaret (Caffarello) O’Hara-Newton, of Sparta, was born in Chicago, IL on October 19, 1927, the daughter of Michael and Estelle Caffarello.  She graduated from Lindbloom High School in Chicago in 1943, after which she worked at the Chamber of Commerce in downtown Chicago.

     On August 3, 1946, she was united in marriage to Walter O’Hara in Oak Park, IL.  They lived in Palos Park, IL for 17 years.  Their son, Kerry Michael, was born in 1949.  They were divorced in 1964.

     Margaret worked for the White-Meyer Cabinet Co. in Orland Park, IL where she met Dean Newton.  They were later married in La Crosse, WI.  Margaret also worked for the GTE Co., now known as Verizon in Chicago in the Research and Development Lab where she was a computer software technician for 17 years.  Upon retirement from Verizon, she worked for the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital in Elmhurst, IL.

     Margaret and Dean moved to Wisconsin in 1985.  Dean died on October 13, 2000.  Margaret and Dean had 37 happy years together.  She worked for St. Mary’s Hospital in Sparta and the Foxxy Shopper as a proofreader.  She also worked at the Tomah Memorial Hospital, Mulder Health Care Center in West Salem, and the Pineview Health Care Facility in Black River Falls, before retiring in 2001. 

     Margaret loved all animals, especially dogs. Margaret was very active in the Monroe County Animal Shelter, on the board of various rescue groups, funded spaying and neutering programs at the Sparta Veterinary Clinic and Morganside Veterinary Clinic.  She provided assistance to people unable to provide necessary care for their pets.  Margaret also established weekly vet visits for all the dogs at  Monroe County Animal Shelter for their required shots and exams. She was also a generous supporter of SACS, A.S./A.P., and  Boys & Girls Club.

     Margaret is survived by her two granddaughters, Kellie A. O’Hara and Lisa Marie (Michael) O’Hara-Maratea; three great grandsons, Michael Culinan, Jacob Le Bahn, and Michael Arnold; nephew, Howard ( Jan) Bloom; and great nephews, Patrick (Paige) Bloom, Darick Bloom, and Garett (Jill) Bloom and their son, Leo.

     Margaret passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Mayo Clinic Health System La Crosse. In addition to her parents and her husband, Dean, Margaret was preceded in death by her son, Kerry Michael O’Hara, Sr. and her grandson, Kerry Michael O’Hara, Jr.

     Per Margaret’s wishes, a private memorial service was held on Saturday, June 3, at the Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home in Sparta.

     Memorials may be given in Margaret’s name to: Boys & Girls Club of Sparta, Sparta Area Cancer Support (SACS), A.S./A.P. Cat Shelter, and for her spaying program fund at Sparta Small Animal Veterinary Clinic and Morganside Veterinary Clinic.

 Service Information