Margaret Marie "Maggie" Reel

Margaret Marie “Maggie” Reel gained her angel wings on August 18, 2024 at her apartment at The Ridgewood, Hermitage PA. Maggie was 96 years old. Words overflow like a fount for Maggie, wife, mother, grandmother-“Great” and friend who lived a beautiful life from start to end. She was a bright spark in this world and will be deeply missed by many. Maggie, an only child, was born in Pittsburgh on July 22, 1928 to Hans and Elly Hildegard (Fruhauf) Wolfrum. Both of her parents were German immigrants settling in the Pittsburgh area in the 1920’s. Maggie was raised speaking German and English as she spent much time at her maternal grandparents home where only German was spoken. Maggie travelled to Germany in 1937 and stayed there for 3 months, attending German public school and visiting many relatives. She was to make this journey many times throughout her life, taking her own children to visit in 1987.

Maggie graduated from Brentwood High School in Pittsburgh and played on the Girls basketball team. She worked as a receptionist for several years at her father’s German restaurant in Pittsburgh – the Atlantic Grill on Liberty Avenue. This is where she was to meet and fall in love with her future husband Carl M. Reel. They were wed on June 18, 1949. Maggie was musically talented and pursued piano lessons merging into organ, then playing the recorder, English hand bells and the accordion. She also attended Duquesne University. Her dream jobs were fulfilled as she was employed as an organist/choir director over the next 30 years by several different churches in the Pittsburgh area. Her last music stop was as the assistant organist at First Presbyterian Church of Sharon. 

Maggie always had an interest in selling real estate and acquired her realtor license in 1985 and worked for Metro Real Estate before moving to Sharon in 1993. Maggie loved to travel and took every advantage to seek out new places travelling to Russia, Europe, Aruba, the Caribbean, Alaska and to any gambling casino nearby. She loved the bright lights and noise of a busy casino which was not passed down to her children or grandchildren.

Maggie dabbled in oil painting, landscaping, interior design and playing cards. She was never one to sit still quietly. 

Maggie is survived by a loving family including a son, David Scott Reel of Hermitage and a daughter, Lynn E. Pyle (Douglas) of Sharon. 

Nana, as she was affectionately known by, unconditionally, unselfishly loved her children and grandchildren and supported them all her life through the many highs and difficulties of their lives. She leaves to treasure her memory two grandson’s, McClellan (Mac) Pyle of Dublin, PA and Jeremy Reel (Emily) of Manasses, VA and a granddaughter Cassandra Pyle Nespor (Phillip) of Sharon, PA. Maggie also leaves behind 5 great grandchildren.

The family would like to recognize the wonderful caring staff at The Ridgewood in Hermitage for taking such great care of our mom.

There will be a Celebration of Life service on Thursday, October 17, at 4:30 pm to honor Maggie. The celebration will be at First Presbyterian Church, 600 East State Street, Sharon, PA. Visitation will be at 3:30 pm preceding the service.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers and cards, memorial donations may be made in the name of Margaret Reel to the First Presbyterian Church, 600 East State Street, Sharon, PA 16146. They further request that you then have a cold beer and some pizza in her honor. 

Friends are invited to express their condolences and share their memories with Maggie’s family by visiting www.sampleodonnellfh.com.