Margaret Ann Neff, 64, passed away peacefully at her home in Concord, New Hampshire on October 30th, after a long battle with brain cancer. Margaret was born in 1962 to the late Eleanore and William McGaffin, Sr. in Connecticut where she spent half her life. Margaret was a 1980 graduate of West Haven High School and lived many years in East Haven, before relocating to Concord, NH in 1998. She later married John Neff, her devoted partner and the love of her life of 25 years. In 2016, Margaret received a devastating diagnosis of Glioblastoma. Defying the odds, she survived ten years with the disease. Despite the debilitating illness and aggressive treatment that changed her life, and faced with a terminal diagnosis, Margaret remained optimistic and cherished whatever time she had with family and friends.

Margaret was always full of life and appreciated the small things. She was a hard worker, most recently working at Walmart before her illness. She enjoyed crafts, decorating her home (inside and out) every season and holiday. She loved Christmas time, even dressing up as Santa one year when her daughters were children. She was an avid fan of jigsaw puzzles, chocolate and the color purple, cheered relentlessly for the Dallas Cowboys for more than 30 years, and loved baking, especially cookies and truffles, and making candy. She was always having fun and never minded being silly, especially with her grandchildren. She enjoyed road trips, particularly a cross-country trip she and John took to celebrate her 50th birthday. In addition to her beloved husband, John, she leaves behind her daughters and sons-in-law, Susan (Keith) Obert of Milford, CT, Michelle (Alex) Bobb of Mesa, AZ, and Jessica Anderson (Randall Williams) of Dover, NH, as well as her grandchildren, Noah Anderson, Leroy Williams, Iris Williams, and Amelia Obert. She is also survived by two step-children and six step-grandchildren.

She is survived by her siblings, Joyce (Allan) Gagnon, William (Lila) McGaffin, Jr., George (Irene) McGaffin, and Richard (Janet) McGaffin, all of West Haven, CT; David (Barbara) McGaffin and Mary Hatt of Hamden, CT; Betty Wieler of Milford, CT; Barbara (Tony) Krupinski of Yulee, FL; and Jim (Becky) McGaffin of Pooler, GA, as well as her sister-in-law, Carol (Jackie) Stubblefield of Blossom, Texas, along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Margaret also leaves behind Jon Ackley, whom she always thought of as a son, and his wife, Katie, who was very dear to her. Her best friend, Christine Witham, was her “partner in crime,” and she shared a longtime friendship with Sis Schwolow. She treasured her many friendships, and while there are too many to name them all, each held a special place in her heart.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by brothers-in-law James Wieler, Vaughan Hatt, Vernon L. Neff, and sisters-in-law Mary Jane McGaffin and Sharon Kellison.

Margaret’s family would like to thank Dr. Wang and Dr. Briccetti and the Payson Cancer Center for their amazing care during her battle with Glioblastoma, as well as the dedicated hospice team at Granite State VNA who looked after Margaret in her final months (especially those in her final days). We are forever grateful for the skilled and compassionate care provided to her and our family. In accordance with Margaret’s wishes, there will be no services. Burial will be at the discretion of the family at a later date.

Assisting the family with arrangements is the Cremation Society of NH, Boscawen. To view Margaret's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.csnh.com.