MARGARET GRIFFIN PUFFER

Margeret (Griffin) Puffer, age 81, passed away peacefully after fighting a recent illness on October 7, 2025, at La Marea Senior Living, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on July 24, 1944, in Schenectady, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Leo and Geraldine (Grinter) Griffin. A graduate of the Mohanasen Central Schools, Margaret, affectionately called Peggy, continued her higher education at Syracuse University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in history and social studies. She later earned a master's degree in education from Tufts University in Massachusetts and a second master’s degree in history from Northeastern University.

She then taught both in Stoneham and Cambridge, Massachusetts. While still at Syracuse University, she met the love of her life, Richard, and shared a long, beautiful marriage beginning on December 18, 1965.

Included within her professional achievements were Advance Placement Teacher of the Year Awards and coordinator of the Advance Placement program Stoneham High School.

Beyond all these accomplishments, Peggy enjoyed a life of learning. She learned Spanish later in life and added Spanish to the subjects she taught at Stoneham High School. She utilized her Spanish skills in Vieques, Puerto Rico translating sermons from Spanish to English. She is recognized as the founder of the dual language sermons at Todos Los Santos Episcopal Church in Vieques, Puerto Rico. Peggy’s heart for the church and the lord led her to assist the pastor and his family with their immigration application and she helped numerous other families and individuals with this arduous task. Peggy was also a lifetime member of the Parish Church in Lincoln, Massachusetts, where she taught Sunday school, sung in the choir, and participated in numerous musical dramatizations including Amahl and Night Visitors and Noah’s Flood. While living in Encinitas, California, she attended Seacoast community church and found solace and joy in the Sunday services and fellowship in the community.

More than anything else she treasured the times spent with her family vacationing in Vieques, Puerto Rico, traveling abroad, trips to Cape Cod, and walking in nature to explore bird watching.

Margaret’s family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to Casa Companion Home Care and aids of Nana Im, Karla Joy San Elias, Alina Stawarska, Erika Aguirre, Rosa Moralas, and especially Marlem Monroy as these aides made it possible for her to remain at home with quality care. Peggy is survived by her daughter, Sarah Schaffer, son Robert Puffer and brother Norman Griffin. The grandchildren include Kale (deceased), Robert Puffer, Susannah and Simon Schaffer. Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Richard on May 8, 2020.

Memorial service is scheduled at Seacoast Community Church in Encinitas California.

A private family gathering will be held at the cemetery in Lincoln, Massachusetts. Memorial contributions may be made to the Magdalena Ecke YMCA, where Margaret enjoyed working out daily.