Volunteer recognized by Diocese

11/9/2006

PORT CLINTON - Margaret D. Chimo, 85, whose work in the ministries of her parish were recognized by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo, died Saturday in her home.

The cause of death was not known, but she had heart problems, her daughter Anne Chimo said.

Mrs. Chimo was a member of Immaculate Conception Church from childhood, when her family moved from Pennsylvania to northwest Ohio. She attended the parish grade school, and she and her husband, F.E. "Nundy" Chimo were married in the church June 19, 1948.

She was a past officer in the Altar Rosary Society. She traveled to nursing homes as a Eucharistic minister and was a member of the memorial choir.

"She was deeply religious. She believed in the Rosary," her daughter said. "She was always volunteering to clean the church. She would help with anything they needed."

When she was honored by the diocese for her volunteering, "she was really humble. She did not tell any of us," her daughter said. Her children found out from an aunt.

Mrs. Chimo, a graduate of Port Clinton High School, retired in 1986 after about a decade as a switchboard operator for GTE. She'd previously been a receptionist and switchboard operator at Standard Products.

She liked cooking and baking, especially the specialties of her Slovak heritage.

"She loved eating chocolate [and] she loved to have a good time with her family," her daughter said.

Mrs. Chimo's husband died July 23, 1974.

Surviving are her son, Stephen Chimo; daughters, Anne and Cathy Chimo; sisters, Elizabeth Hrupcho and Catherine Erney, and brother, Joseph Hrupcho.

Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Immaculate Conception Church, Port Clinton. Arrangements are by the Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, Port Clinton.

The family suggests tributes to Immaculate Conception School.