Margaret Polacek Lowenburg, 98, of Stroudsburg, passed away on Monday, March 27 in her home. Margaret was born in Jersey City, NJ on May 1, 1918. Her parents, Joseph and Susan Polacek, were immigrants from the Slovak Republic. Upon entering elementary school, Margaret spoke no English, but progressed so rapidly that by the end of second grade was promoted to fourth grade and was later advanced an additional year prior to beginning high school. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Jersey City in 1934 and was married in 1941. Following World War II, Margaret and her husband Bill, ran a small neighborhood grocery store in Jersey City. In 1957, the couple moved to Brodheadsville, opening the Wilmar Gift Shop. Several years later, she enrolled at East Stroudsburg State Teachers College and in 1968 earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Margaret taught first and fourth grade at Chestnuthill Elementary School in Brodheadsville, retiring in 1982. During retirement, Margaret remained interested in world events and politics. She was a life-long Democrat and made it a point, despite limited mobility in recent years, to vote in every election. She was a supporter of organized labor, especially teacher's unions. Margaret was also a lifetime member of the Sokols, a Czechoslovak social organization. Margaret moved to Stroudsburg in 2000, where she resided for the remainder of her life. She is succeeded by her son, Bill, and her daughter-in-law, Deborah Lowenburg and nephews Joseph and John Polacek. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 1 from Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, NJ. Interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Center for Research Foundation, One Intrepid Square, New York, NY 10036. The Kresge Funeral Home, 1763 Route 209 Brodheadsville, is in charge of arrangements. www.kresgefuneralhome.com