Margareta T. Carter

Margareta T. Carter, 82, of Waynesboro, PA, passed away on December 10, 2018, while at her winter home in Biloxi, MS. She moved on to a beautiful and heavenly new home that is now ready as it was being prepared this past year by her husband, Joseph Carter, aged 80 when he passed away last year on May 1, 2017. Born in Plaidt, Germany on Sep 23, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Elisabeth Sauerborn. As she and her siblings lost their father to an illness when she was 8 yrs. old, her family continued to farm and raise small animals in Plaidt, Germany. Determination, perseverance, and always looking to make the best (with as much fun as possible), these character traits allowed her to continue successfully in school, where she also become active in gymnastics and swimming. During a chance encounter at a dance, she met her soul mate and future husband, Joseph. After their marriage on July 4, 1958, they started their family and she became a devoted military spouse and homemaker. She lived and traveled throughout Europe and the United States. Through hard work, she made sure that the frequent military moves became just another new home and adventure for her family. She enjoyed spending time with her family, traditional big dinners on Sundays, sightseeing, and playing board games, especially Mensch ärgere Dich nicht. She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother to her family and loved her family unconditionally. As her husband was quickly promoted, they both knew and proudly affirmed that it was only possible due to each other. She regularly opened her family’s home for her famous Sunday dinners to military personal with no families near by. Of course the anticipation of her well known desserts only made life better, such as Streusel, Vanillekipferl, Zwetschgenkuchen, Pepernoten, Pfeffernüsse, and known and new varieties of Kuchen. Her children and grandchildren especially loved to sneak the crumbles off the Streusel Kuchens! With her sewing and knitting skills she created beautiful clothes for her children and grandchildren. During Chief Master Sergeant Joseph Carter’s military retirement, she was surprised and was extremely proud that she was formally awarded a USAF Certificate of Appreciation from USAF Chief of Staff General Lew Allen, who presented it to her in person and reminded all that the military personnel are only as strong as the families, especially the extended military families that supported one another in difficult and dangerous tours of duty. As mentioned previously, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Carter, of 59 years, who after preparing her new home for over a year is probably looking forward to her big Sunday dinners. Her brother, Gunter Sauerborn, preceded her as well. She is survived by two daughters, Therese Moody and husband Brian of Biloxi, MS; and Patricia Carter, M.D. of Tucson, AZ; and son Michael Carter and wife Tonya of Waynesboro, PA; two sisters, Maria Proshka and Anna Stechert plus extended family who reside in Germany. She is survived by ten grandchildren, Katrina Dwyer, Elise Trowbridge, Brittany Hicks, Brian I. Moody, Lauren Moody, Elisabeth Carter, Bethany Carter, Luke Carter, Jacob Carter, Matthew Carter. Also eight great grandchildren, Ella Trowbridge, Avery Trowbridge, Hartley Hicks, Kade Dwyer, Summerlyn Moody, Holland Hicks, Carter Dwyer and Easton Moody. Per her wishes she will be cremated and a small family service will be held first in Biloxi, MS. Interment will be next to her husband in Waynesboro, PA. The social get together of family and friends and Catholic funeral services in Waynesboro, PA will be announced at a later date In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may also be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.StJude.org), American Cancer Society, Masonic Children’s Home. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.