Margaret Estella Blackburn

East Palestine, OH-January 8, 2012-Margaret E. Blackburn, 83, formerly of E. North Ave., was finally set free from her battle with Alzheimer's disease at 6:00 a.m. Sunday, January 8, 2012 at St. Mary's Alzheimer's Center, Columbiana.

Margie was born August 7, 1928 in Xenia, a daughter of John M. and Ruth Ramsey Rife and had lived in this area since 1950 coming from New Concord.

Margie received her Masters of Education from Kent State University and was a home economics teacher for 20 years at Crestview and then for the East Palestine School District retiring in 1993.

She was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of East Palestine where she was active as an elder, a member of the choir and served on various committees. She was also a member of the Columbiana County Home Economics Association.

She is survived by three daughters, Lauri Mack of Cleveland, Kara (Skeeter) Paine and Mellie (Mike) McGraw both of East Palestine; a brother, John (Wanda) Rife of Indiana, PA; eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Besides her parents, she also joins in heaven, her two sisters, Cecelia Shegog and Helen Graban.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 28, 2012 at the First United Presbyterian Church of East Palestine with Pastor Phil Bartholomew officiating. Friends will be received following the service at the church. Burial will be in Glenview Cemetery.

Memorial tributes in Margaret's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or St. Mary's Alzheimer's Center.

Arrangements are being handled by the Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home, East Palestine.