Margaret Mary Milczarski

Margaret Mary (Offerman) Milczarski, 99, of Charleston, South Carolina passed away peacefully on December 17th surrounded by loved ones. Margaret – a long-time resident of Jersey City, New Jersey before relocating to Charleston in 2022 – was born on October 5, 1925 in Jersey City, New Jersey, daughter of the late William Offerman and Margaret (Shea) Offerman.

Margaret is survived by her loving children – William Milczarski (and his wife Annmarie Nazzaro), Joseph Milczarski (and his wife Mayra Velasco Milczarski) and Linda (Milczarski) Ward. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 2 step granddaughters, 1 adopted granddaughter, 4 step great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter. She also has countless nieces and nephews. And Margaret was ‘mom’ to everyone she met, from her neighbors and fellow church parishioners to those she met at Stop & Shop (in NJ), Harris Teeter (in Charleston) and other local shops.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband (Joseph Milczarski), her parents (William and Margaret Offerman), and her brother and sister (William Offerman and Helen Francis). She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law (Frank Ward) and his daughter (Jennifer Ward).

Margaret loved her family, God, flowers and the Mets. She adored going to church. She attended St. Mary’s Church in Jersey City when she was young and got married there in 1948. Upon relocating to The Heights in Jersey City, she attended St. Anne’s Church before moving to St. Nicholas Church where she was a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. Later in life Margaret attended Our Lady of Sorrows Church before moving to Charleston and spending the last 2 ½ years at St. Joseph Church, her newly adopted parish where she was welcomed and loved.

After graduating from Ferris High School in Jersey City, Margaret went to work, becoming the Secretary to the Vice President of Liggett Drug Company. After marrying, having children and settling in The Heights, she went to work at DeKimpe’s Florist where she honed her skills and became a floral designer. During the past 2 ½ years, Margaret’s floral designs found a following of friends on Facebook where pictures of her arrangements were posted under Flowers By Mom.

Margaret lived 99 wonderful years – 36,233 days. She told everyone that when she said her prayers each night, she only asked God for one more day. Her family and friends hoped she would get enough days to celebrate her 100 th birthday next year. However, they are comforted by the fact that she’s now with her family in Heaven.

A funeral mass will be held on January 24, 2025 at St. Joseph Church (1695 Raoul Wallenberg Blvd) in Charleston at 11:00 AM to be followed by her interment with her late husband at the St. Joseph Columbarium. 

 A memorial mass will also be celebrated at Our Lady of Sorrows Church (98 Clerk Street) in Jersey City on February 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM. 

In life, Margaret was a supporter of the Food Pantries at Our Lady of Sorrows Church and St. Joseph Church. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests you make a donation to one of these Food Pantries – or the Food Pantry of your choice – in her memory:

Our Lady of Sorrows Food Pantry, 95 Clerk Street Jersey City, NJ 07305

St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, St. Joseph Church, 1695 Raoul Wallenberg Blvd Charleston, SC 29407