Morag K. Stauffer

Morag Marjorie Stuart Kennedy Stauffer entered into eternal life with the Lord on October 22, 2017. Morag was born on June 22, 1930, to Scottish parents, Marjorie Coxon and R.G.S. Kennedy, in Bexleyheath, Kent, UK. She came to the United States when she was six and grew up in Brooklyn and Rockville Centre, LI. After a family move in 1946, she graduated from Upper Darby High School in Pennsylvania in 1948. She graduated from Keuka College in 1952 with a B.A. in English and journalism and started work in New York City, where she became publicity director for publisher David McKay. Following an extended trip to Europe, she worked as the copywriter for J.B. Lippincott in Philadelphia. After her marriage in 1957, she and her husband Donald lived in Bloomington, Indiana, for three years while he completed a PhD in English. Their twin sons Andy and Doug were born there.

The family then moved to Williamstown, MA, where Don taught at Williams College. In 1962, John Donald was born there. In 1964, Don joined the English Department at the newly expanded University at Albany. The family settled in Altamont, where Morag would live for nearly 50 years. A tragic accident took the life of John Donald in 1966.
In 1967, the family adopted their daughter Margaret. After living for the year 1972 in Cambridge, England, Morag, always an active volunteer, was asked to head up a committee to plan for the opening in Altamont of a community residence for mentally handicapped adults. She was appointed the first director of Helderberg House and worked there until she became director of residential services at Schoharie ARC.

In 1981, she and Margaret accompanied Don to Beijing University when he was invited to teach there. Morag was employed to teach composition and conversation to sophomores. It was a life-changing experience for her. She formed a deep and lasting bond with her students and remained in touch with many of them all her life. She developed a deep love for China, returning as a tour leader and visitor several times and reading as much about the country as she could. She also experienced a spiritual awakening, becoming an evangelical Christian and an active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, serving in several ministries and teaching Bible studies. She served on the Board of Our Savior's Lutheran School for several years.

Morag had a good voice and enjoyed singing in major choirs: Desoff Choirs in New York; Cathedral Choral Society in Washington; Capitol Hill Choral Society, Octavo Singers, and Jubilate Singers. She loved the Lord, her family and friends, church, music, literature, good food. She and Don visited many countries and traveled on the mainland and islands of Scotland numerous times. There were regular vacations: summers on Martha's Vineyard and winters in St. Kitts.

Morag is pre-deceased by siblings Janet Ailsa, Jean Margaret, Bob, David and John, her premature infant son and four-year-old John Donald. She is survived by Donald, her beloved husband of sixty years, her sons Andrew Stauffer (Isabel), Douglas Stauffer, daughter Margaret Spoonogle, grandchildren Christopher and Kelly Spoonogle, and, lastly, her dear dear friend of nearly 70 years Shirl Fay.

The family wish to thank the staff of Teresian House for their loving care and many kindnesses. Special thanks to her dear friends KK and Jaquelle.

The family wishes to extend an invite to join them on Saturday, November 11, 2017 from 3pm until 5pm for calling hours at the Avila Retirement Community, 100 White Pine Drive, Albany, NY, 12203. A memorial service for Morag will be held on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at 1:15pm at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 63 Mountain View Avenue, Albany, NY, 12205. A private burial for Morag will be held at the convenience of the family at Guilderland Cemetery, Guilderland.

Memorial donations in Morag's name may be sent to Our Savior's Lutheran School, Albany, or the City Mission of Schenectady, 425 Hamilton Street, Schenectady, 12305.

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