Margaret Cherrie Willson Arrington, part-time Boothbay resident for over 60 years, died on July 1, 2012, at Meadow Glen Assisted Living in Leesburg, Va., with her family by her side. She was 93 years old.

She was born on May 27, 1919 in New Rochelle, New York, the daughter of Jean MacTaggart Willson and Paul Wentworth Willson of Sprucewold and later Lakeside Drive in Boothbay.  In the early '70s the Arrington family purchased their present summer home on Barter's Island

She was raised in Darien, Conneticut, graduating from Darien High School in 1935, then attended Colby Junior College and Sweetbriar College. In August of 1940 she graduated from the New York Institute of Dietetics as a Dietician.  In 1941 she married John Lindsay Arrington II, a Naval officer, and volunteered for the Red Cross during World War II.  For the next 25 years she kept the home fires burning while John was deployed on ships in the Mediterranean and other postings.

When John retired from the Navy in 1966, the family moved to Lexington, N.C., where Cherrie lived until 1989 when she moved to Asheboro to be close to her daughter and son-in-law. While in Lexington Cherrie had done volunteer work for Davidson County Community College, teaching English to non-English speaking adults. She continued this type of work in Asheboro, teaching illiterate adults through Randolph Community College. She was given an award for her volunteer service by Governor James Hunt.  In January of 2011 Cherrie moved to Meadow Glen Assisted Living, ten minutes from her son and his family. In the ensuing months she was able to spend quality time with that side of the family and make wonderful memories.

Cherrie was predeceased by her parents, and brothers, Raymond G. Willson and William W. “Bud” Willson. She is survived by her children, Lindsay A. Arrington and her husband, the Rev. Canon R. Larry Emerson of Asheboro; Christopher P. Arrington and his wife, Debra Emerson Arrington, and their children Stephanie,  William and Sarah of Hamilton, Virginia. Also surviving are three nieces, a nephew, and their eight children.

A memorial service was held at All Souls Anglican Church (2898 Old Cox Road) on July 21, 2012 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to All Souls Anglican Church, mailing address: P.O. Box 2163, Asheboro, N.C., 27204.