Marguerite Stranges

School Board Official and Founder of Adult Evening School 

Marguerite Stranges, 89, of Spring House Estates died April 8, 2005 at Abington Hospital of congestive heart failure.  Born Marguerite McKnight in Collierville, Tennessee, she graduated from Nankipoo (TN) High School.  At age 20 she moved to Philadelphia to join her father and seek her fortune.  She received a secretarial degree from Strayer University and worked for the Insurance Company of North America before marrying Anthony F. Stranges, Sr. in 1939.  They remained married for 47 years until his death in 1986. 

Mrs. Stranges was well-known as a volunteer in the field of education.  She served on the Hatboro-Horsham School Board in the late 1950’s and 1960’s and participated in the then-controversial decision to purchase the land on which the present Hatboro-Horsham High School is located.  In 1960 she helped found and later served as President of the Board of the Hatboro-Horsham Adult Evening School, which continues to offer classes today.  She was very active in Parent Teachers Associations, serving as President of the Simmons School PTA and later the Montgomery County Councils of PTA’s.  

Appointed to the Horsham Park Board in the 1970’s, Mrs. Stranges helped expand the network of parks the township now enjoys.  She was a charter member of the Cedar Hill Road Guild of the Needlework Guild of America, and remained active in the Guild for almost 50 years.  She was also a member of the Old York Road Garden Club and an avid bridge player.  In her later years she enjoyed traveling, visiting, and celebrating with her children and grandchildren. 

She is survived by her brothers, G. Franklin McKnight, Jr. of Philadelphia and William B. McKnight of Gordo, AL.  She leaves three sons and daughters-in-law:  Anthony F. and Marsha Stranges of Lansdale; Timothy J. Stranges and Rosanna Coffey of Rockville, MD; and William F. and Joan-Marie Stranges of Beltsville, MD.  She also leaves four grandchildren: Jill, Elizabeth, Anthony, and James. 

Relatives & Friends are invited to call after 12:00 Noon Wednesday April 13, 2005 at the Wayside Chapel of Whitemarsh Memorial Park Limekiln Pike & Horsham Road Prospectville, Pa. Funeral Service 12:30 PM  with the Rev. Richard A. Shaw of Springhouse Estates Officiating. Interment will be in Whitemarsh Memorial Park.  

Remembrances in her name to ACTS Good Samaritan Fund 728 Norristown Road Lower Gwynedd, Pa. 19002 would be appreciated. 

Arrangement by: ANTON B. URBAN Funeral Home, Ambler, Pa.