Obituary of Margaret Gais

Margaret âMargeâ Gais, 60, of Morgantown, passed away Saturday, March 17, 2012, at Monongalia General Hospital.Marge was born in Brooklyn, NY on July 23, 1951, the daughter of the late Allen and Mary Durante Geist.After college, Marge found employment as a Home Economics teacher. She then became a homemaker to raise her two sons. Following the death of her son Chris she began volunteering at CASA helping troubled children.After pursuing a degree in therapeutic social work, she became a therapist specializing in families and children. More recently, Marge became a part time professor at WVU teaching classes in social work.Despite her battle with cancer, she remained active and was an expert skier and highly certified scuba diver. She had a reputation for her cooking, sewing, gardening and interior decorating skills.One of the last joys in Margeâs life was the recent birth of her first grandson Leon. From organizing his baby shower to coaching his mother Suzanne through his birth.She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Dr. Richard Gais, son Steven Gais and wife Suzanne Gais of Pittsburgh, newborn grandson Leon Gais, brothers Jim Geist and Allen Geist, sister Louise Genowitz and husband Mark Genowitz of NJ, nieces Christina Genowitz, Brieanna Genowitz, Shannon Geist, Natalie Geist, Morgan Geist, nephew Christian Geist, mother-in-law Mary Gais, sister-in-law Janet Papetti and husband Joe Papetti all of NJ.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Christopher in 1994, her brother Tommy Geist and niece Melissa Genowitz.Friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St, Morgantown, from 5-8pm on Sunday, March 18, and from 3-7pm on Monday, March 19. Visitation will continue at Suncrest United Methodist Church on Tuesday, March 20, from 9-10am. A funeral service will be held in the church with Rev. Junius Lewis officiating. Interment will follow at East Oak Grove Cemetery.