Margaret M. (Cooke) Welsh Utica Mrs. Margaret M. (Cooke) Welsh, 73, of Utica, died unexpectedly on Thursday, July 18, 2013 at her home. The only child of Arthur and Joanna (Gaffney) Cooke, Margaret was born in Brooklyn, NY on April 3, 1940. She graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School class of 1958 and attended the University of St. Michael's College in The University of Toronto. In 1970, Margaret married Francis (Frank) Welsh at St. Francis de Sales Church in Utica, a devoted union of 31 years until Frank's death in 2001. For over 30 years, Margaret was employed with the NY State Department of Motor Vehicles, retiring in April 2002. Margaret was a member and past President of the Zonta Club of Utica, a member of Beta Sigma Phi, and an active volunteer and board member of Hope House. She was a parishioner of the former Blessed Sacrament Church in Utica and a current parishioner and member of the Parish Council at Historic Old St. John's Church in Utica. Margaret enjoyed gardening, attending cultural events, and playing Mahjong. She received her greatest joy spending time with her grandchildren. Margaret is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Joanna and Scott Kurdziolek and their children, Margaret (Maggie) and Luke of New Hartford and her son and daughter-in-law, Timothy and Jessica Welsh and their children, Noel and Maura of New York, NY. Margaret is also survived by her step-daughters and their families: Alice and Frank Savino of Whitesboro and their children, Frankie and Bryan Mueller and Ellen and Al Lam; Catherine Welsh of Utica and her children, Stacey Chmura and Meaghan and Tony Maul; Frankie and Jim Luley of New Hartford and their children, Ryan and Jennifer Luley, Kate and Jason Radell and Sean and Amanda Luley; and Barbara Welsh of Sturbridge, MA; and 14 great grandchildren. Margaret is also survived by her sister-in-law, Helen Welsh of Loudonville, NY; several nieces and nephews, and dear friends, including, Kathy Boyle Murphy and her family and Carol Dinger. Margaret's funeral will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 9:15 a.m. at the Heintz Funeral Home 1517 Whitesboro St., Utica and 10:00 at Historic Old St. John's Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Rite of Committal and Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Calling hours for family and friends are Monday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Hope House Building Campaign, 130 Eagle St., Utica NY 13501 in Margaret's memory. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to members of the Utica Police Department; Sgt. Greg Facciolo, Sgt. Lori Cozza, Investigator Terry Oczkowski, and Officer Kerry Carville, and Paul Labrun of the Onondaga County Medical Examiner's office for the care and compassion shown our family during this very difficult time. online guestbook and messages of sympathy at www.heintzfuneralservice.net