Obituaries

Margaret Mary Best

Margaret Mary “Sis” Best of Queenstown, Md. died May 5, 2014, at Corsica Hills Nursing Home. She was 90.

TShe was born Oct. 18, 1923, in Rockville Centre to Carl and Adlyn (Carpenter) Schmitt. She was a graduate of South Side High School and Keuka College, in Keuka, N.Y. Ms. Best married Joseph F. Best, Jr. of Floral Park and Mattituck in 1947. They resided in Rockville Centre and Mattituck, Sarasota, Fla. and, finally, Queenstown, Md.

Ms. Best was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, North Fork Country Club, Mattituck Yacht Club and Bent Tree Country Club. She sold World Book Encyclopedias and was a part-time assistant bookkeeper for Best Hardware and Mill Supply Stores in New Hyde Park and Floral Park.

Family members said Ms. Best most of her time was spent volunteering in her children’s activities. She was a 4-H leader, volunteer driver for sports events and tried not to miss a single game or event any of her children participated in. Family members also said she was lover of the outdoors, particularly the beach and water sports and shared her great passion for the water with her husband. Ms. Best also enjoyed golf, daily walks and biking, bowling, playing bridge in several clubs and what her family referred to as “The Great Books.”

She is survived by her sister, Adlyn Syverson, of Mattituck and Palm Coast, Fla.; her daughters, Elinor Arnold of Bluffton, S.C. and Barbara Best of Queenstown, Md.; her sons, Joseph F. Best, III of Atlanta, Ga. and Carl R. Best of Amittyville; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph F. Best, Jr and her brothers, Carl and Treadwell Schmitt.

The first memorial service was held in Maryland. A second memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 2, at 11 a.m. at Mattituck Presbyterian Church.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to The Alzheimer’s Association by going to alz.org/donation.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A. in Centreville, Md. For online condolences, please visit fhnfuneralhome.com.