Margaret Chicoski Clayton

Margaret Chicoski Clayton

Brooklyn

Margaret Chicoski Clayton died May 24, 2024, in Brooklyn, Iowa, at the age of 101 years and ten months.

Margaret was born on July 27, 1922, in the City of Haverstraw, Rockland Co., NY, the daughter of Joseph Chicoski and Mary Beshock Chicoski.

Her father was a barge captain on the Hudson River.

Margaret attended Haverstraw High School and graduated in 1940.

While working at Camp Shanks in WWII, Margaret was given an address to send a Christmas box to a soldier, Miles. As Miles went from North Africa, Italy, and France, letters were written for three years. Margaret received a phone call from Miles. He was back at Camp Shanks. Miles said, ‘I’d like to meet you.’

She was united in marriage to Miles Brownlie Clayton on September 12, 1947, in Haverstraw, NY.

After marriage, she became a member of St. Patrick’s Church, Brooklyn, and in 2008 became a member of St. Mary’s Church, Grinnell.

Miles and Margaret farmed at Brooklyn, IA, Madison Twp. and when Miles passed away, Margaret continued that farm operation.

Both were proud of their farm's conservation measures. She loved nature and continued to promote native life on the farm.

For almost 30 years they wintered at Palm Shadows, Donna, Texas, enjoying many friends. She especially loved the pool and craft room.

She held many offices in the Iowa American Legion Auxiliary: Unit President at Brooklyn, 5th District President, State Chaplain, State Legislative Chairman, and a Counselor at American Legion Auxiliary Girls State for twelve years. In addition, over twenty-five years, she volunteered over 5,000 hours at Veteran’s Hospital in Iowa City.

She was proud of her family. Margaret will be remembered as a woman of character, ethics, and faith.

Survivors include her children, Ruth Ann (Mike Davis) Clayton-Davis of Rock Island, IL, and John of Brooklyn; two grandchildren, Andrew Davis, US Navy, and Katie (Jason Kostadine) Davis of Maryland Heights, MO; two great-granddaughters, Gabrielle Hensley (Kolin) and Skyler Davis, and one great-grandson, Phoenix Kostadine; great-great-granddaughter Jacqueline Hensley; and many relatives in New York.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother John, sister Rita, and friend Gloria Brannian.

In lieu of flowers or other charitable gifts, the family requests that a memorial for an Iowa American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Scholarship be sent to Ruth Clayton-Davis, 4030-29th Ave., Rock Island, IL 61201.