Margaret "Maggie" Staver Joy Kaufman
This is the life story of Margaret Staver Joy Kaufman. She just celebrated her 7th birthday and this should not be the end of her story. Her family still remembers the day she was born, January 3, 2017. She was a long awaited, much anticipated, prayed for baby. She was given a giant name, but all of those who know and love her, knew her as Maggie.
A giant name for a little girl. She was always little, physically, however she was so big in her joy filled- life lived. Many said, “she might be small, but she is mighty!”
She loved her family, Evan, Kelly, and Calvin Kaufman. Daddy loved to snuggle and put her to bed. Mommy loved to hold her hand, and Big Brother Calvin loved to play video games with her. She loved her dog, Einstein; she would call him “floofy” and “little baby” as she snuggled with him.
Maggie is loved by a large family. Her grandparents, Gary and Cathy Reese, Helen Weaver, and Michael Kaufman. Her loving aunts and uncles, Ryan and Melissa Reese, Steve Ryan, Jenny and Jon Stillman, Staver and Mike Gray, John and Jamie Weaver, Laura and Scott Ryan, and Trip and Beth MacCracken. She loved her beloved cousins, Emmy and Margo Reese, Jackson and Charlotte Stillman, Rosie Gray, Jonathan and Rachel Weaver, Kate and Joel Ryan, and AJ, Ellie, and Tristan MacCracken.
Maggie Joy was loved by friends who are family. Aunt Lizzie Lou and the Collins Family (Jessicah, Stephen, Caroline, and Catie Grace); her neighbor besties, Noah, Hannah and Andrew, Midge, Matilda, and Phoebe. And her second mom, Ms. Betsy (once a Polar Bear, always a Polar Bear)
In her short life, Maggie was a friend to so many. She is loved by her Murray Elementary family, her Crozet Arts friends, her Daisy buddies, and her neighborhood friends. She is loved by several faith communities, Tabor Presbyterian, Olivet Presbyterian, and Westminster Presbyterian in Waynesboro, VA.
Many people use the word “JOY” to describe Maggie. She lived a joy filled life. If there was a tree, she climbed to the top of it. If she was faced with rocks on a hike, she climbed them, if there was an art project, she used all the colors. She loved every person she encountered and found delight in all her experiences. Her friends and family describe her as kind, loving, funny, smart, energetic, and joyful. Maggie was always ready to give you a giant hug and tell you that she loved you.
She was an artist. She was obsessed with anything My Little Pony. Her favorite Disney movie was Frozen; did you know she met Anna and Elsa? Bluey was her favorite TV Show; but she also loved Gabby’s Doll House, Curious George, and Daniel Tiger. Her favorite food? Black olives, fish sticks, ravioli, and prosciutto. She recently shared that her favorite veggie is Brussel sprouts. She loved making Fairy houses. Her favorite animal was a monkey. She does a silly little “Maggie Monkey” dance and makes all her friends laugh.
She leaves behind a bedroom of stuffies- but her most beloved, Baby Elmo, will miss her the most.
Maggie loved to be cozy. She loved PJs and blankies. She loved snuggling and sharing hugs. She always had a reason to need a band-aid (because a band aid fixes all boo- boos).
Maggie had a big name and lived a short life. But as her family and friends share stories about her, Maggie loved and lived a BIG life; a joy filled life.
She was happiest playing in nature. She was always collecting rocks, making crowns out of grass, picking flowers to bring home, and using nature to create fairy houses. One of her very favorite places to play was Wildrock in Crozet, VA.
In lieu of flowers we encourage you to donate to Wildrock. We are in the process of setting up a memorial fund in her name.
She was given the name Maggie Joy for a reason. She embodied joy and love her entire, very short, life. As we mourn her death, we give thanks for Maggie’s joy- filled life.
We invite you to help us celebrate Maggie’s life on Saturday, March 16 at 11:00am at First Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, VA. All is welcome!! A reception will follow.
We encourage everyone to wear your favorite color. What is Maggie’s favorite color? She always said, “I LOVE all the colors of the rainbow, but I really love yellow, because yellow is the brightest”. Maggie included everyone. "All is Welcome" she once said. Her friends are especially encouraged to come. This is a service planned for children and those who are children at heart.
For those who are unable to attend, we encourage you to wear yellow in memory of Maggie Joy on March 16; her celebration of life will be livestreamed. We will share those details near the day of her celebration.
Maggie Joy will be laid to rest at the Olivet Presbyterian Church Cemetery after her celebration of life.
