Margaret (Maggie) Ruth DeStazio, 72, passed away peacefully in her home on July 7, 2021, with her husband at her side. She was born on July 28, 1948, to Leo and Opal Martin of Genoa, Ohio.

Maggie attended grade school in Genoa and then graduated from Cardinal Stritch High School in Oregon, Ohio. She then attended and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She later received a Master's Degree in Pastoral Theology from St. Mary's University in Winona.

Growing up, Maggie lived on a farm where she raised steers and was involved in 4-H, presiding one year as County Fair Queen. She played the French Horn in her high school band and college band.

On August 29, 1969, Maggie married John F. DeStazio, Jr. son of John and Shirley DeStazio both deceased (Elmore Ohio) at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Genoa, Ohio.

Maggie spent her working life as a Teacher and Faith Formation Director in various parishes retiring from St. John the Evangelist due to health concerns in 2018.

While living in Ohio, Maggie started a Christian singing group, "The Good News Singers" that traveled around North Central Ohio spreading the Gospel message in song for 7 years.

Maggie was instrumental in the US National Diaconate community, serving on the US Catholic Committee of Bishops in Washington DC for 2 years. She also served as chairperson of the Wives of Deacons Committee in the Winona-Rochester Diocese.

While at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Rochester, MN, Maggie helped bring the Steubenville Youth Conference to Rochester in 2007 and it continues today with more than 2,000 youth attending each year.

Maggie and John moved about the country over there 52 years of marriage, traveling from Ohio to Georgia to California, back to Ohio, then Michigan and finally Minnesota.

Maggie loved playing the pipe organ and piano—she once said it was here way of praying. She was an avid reader, accomplished chef and loved to entertain. She had the Gift of Hospitality. Her husband and children were her first priority always tending to her children's needs right up to her last day. She was a very selfless person who loved her Lord and her church.

Maggie is survived by her husband, John, her children, Marty (Tracy), Jenny (George), and Jack (LaDonna); 8 grandchildren; three siblings, Mary of Texas, Beth of Ohio, and Paul of Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Maggie will be greatly missed. She touched many, many lives.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Tuesday, July 13, at 10:00 a.m. at Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Rochester, MN. Presiding will be Msgr. Gerald Mahon, Concelebrants, Fr. William Becker, and Fr. John Lasuba. There will be a visitation Monday evening from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at St. John the evangelist church, and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. All are welcome to attend either or both services.

The funeral will be livestreamed on the church YouTube channel:

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCTlCh08Fa1J4JmCGHBWwIhw