Margaret M. Blinebury (nee O'Driscoll) "Madge" passed away peacefully after a long battle with dementia on December 30, 2023. Wife of the late Charles J. Blinebury, Sr. Loving mother of Gilbert Sr. (Donna), Charles, Jr. (Kathleen), Rosemary Crowley (Bruce), Theresa Keating (William), Timothy, Gerry, Sr. (Janet). Grandmom of Mary (Dan), Gilbert, Jr. (Katherine), Kaitlin (Mike), Courtney, Kelly Marie (Nico), Devin (Collin), William, Jr., Charles, Gerry Jr. (Bess), Michael, Mindy, Christopher (Natalia), Megan (Mike). She is also survived by 17 great grand children.

Margaret Mary O'Driscoll Blinebury was the daughter of Canadian-Irish immigrant parents and a modern-day pioneer woman. Growing up in Northeast Philadelphia, she lived through the economic trials of the Great Depression and the emotional separation of World War II.

She learned early in life how to make the most of opportunities and her talents. After attending St. Timothy's elementary school, Madge went on to St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls where she completed her academic studies in an accelerated program, went to work at the defense department for a year, then returned to graduate with her classmates in June 1944. She did not have the benefit of higher education; however her business sense was astute and she had the ability to manage financial matters that would make CFOs green with envy.

Madge married the love of her life, Charles J. Blinebury, Sr., on New Year's Eve, 1949. Charlie would often tease her about getting $1.50 worth of products and services for each dollar she spent.

Her employment record spans an interesting variety of work –
-clerk for the defense department;
-secretarial pool at the Philadelphia Housing Authority;
-when her husband, Charlie, had the tendons in his hand severed in a work-related accident, she went to work as a dental assistant and                receptionist to pay her family's dental bill;
-as a young Mom of six children Madge worked from home as a key-punch operator for Jeffries and Manz;
-after Charlie's construction accident at Doylestown Courthouse in 1961, Madge went to work at Liberty Bell Race Track. She used to refer to        that work as "chasing the ponies". And so, she chased the ponies for 35 years.

Her passions were her faith and her family. She often said, "put God first and everything else will find it's proper place." And even though he's been gone from her for 31 years, most of her friends are familiar with the man she called "my boyfriend" or "my Chalie" from the many stories she told about him. It's a testimony to their love that all these years without him, until her passing she remained madly in love with Charlie.

Sometimes Charlie had to play second fiddle to their six children. She was the consummate Mother. She raised her children to use the talents God gave them to the best of their ability and she instilled in them a commitment to strive for excellence. She was a tough old bird; demanding at times. But she could be a lot of fun, too. There are many personal stories of her fun loving and high-spirited demeanor.

Grand-mothering was just an extension of motherhood for Madge. She loved and cherished each and every new arrival, showering them with cuddles and the occasional home remedy to some ailment. But she didn't coddle any of her 17 grandchildren. She coached and sometime chastised all of them to become her vision of their best. And they, too, have their stories. She lived by the adage, "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps".
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Madge began skiing with Charlie when she was 40 years old and their kids were learning to ski. They spent many Valentine's Days at Mont Tremblant in Quebec, Canada. After Charlie's death in 1992, she became a proud member of the Philadelphia Ski Club. In 40 years, by the age of 80, she had skied in eastern and western US, eastern and western Canada, Alaska, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. She collected lift ticket souvenirs from nearly every mountain that has hosted a winter Olympic downhill event.

She was a people persons, enjoying socials outlets afforded by her memberships in the Primrose Seniors Group at St. Katherine's and the Torresdale Women's Committee. It was from the Primrose Club that she acquainted her group of Theatre Ladies. And she was methodically dedicated to her health and the gym. Her vast circle of friends crisscrossed St. Katherine's Parish Community, school, gym, TWC, Seniors and Philadelphia Ski Club. She would get mad if you left her a voice-mail message complaining that "you're never home". She wasn't one to sit around and wait for life to happen. She ran after life and grabbed all the joy she could. She was independent and fun-loving.

Charlie and Madge loved to dance. Watching them dance together was better than watching Fred Astair and Ginger Rodgers, because Astair and Rodgers were only actors playing parts – Madge and Charlie were the real thing. It was a joy to see them on the dance floor together. Charlie would guide her around the floor and she would float oblivious to everyone else around them. Music and dance were a big part of their lives and their love. He was the melody and she was the lyric.

Madge returned to her heavenly home on the eve of their 74th wedding anniversary. There is likely some beautiful music playing in heaven this New Year's Eve and once again she's in the arms of her beloved "boyfriend", Charlie.

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing Saturday, January 6, 2024 9:00AM to 10:15AM at St. Katherine of Siena, 9700 Frankford Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19114, followed by her Funeral Mass 10:30am. Internment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to St. Katherine of Siena School, 9700 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19114 would be appreciated.