Honoring a Life Well Walked: Margaret Stauffer's Legacy at Graham Park

Some places become woven into our daily lives and eventually become part of our story. For Margaret Stauffer, Graham Park was one of those places.

An avid walker, Margaret spent nearly every day exploring the park's trails. Following her passing on November 16, 2025, at the age of 89, her family wanted to honor the place that brought her so much joy.

On Saturday, July 11, 2026, Margaret's loved ones gathered at Graham Park to dedicate an honorary bench in her memory. The bench sits along the walking trail behind the football fields, overlooking the nearby stream - a location thoughtfully chosen by her daughter, Wendy Jones. Jones said she walked the trail in search of the perfect location for the bench and immediately knew when she found it.

Family members, including Margaret’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, gathered at Graham Park for the unveiling ceremony. The group walked from the pickleball courts at the front of the park to the bench and shared a prayer in Margaret’s honor.

Memorial benches are made possible through the Cranberry Foundation’s Honorary Bench Program, which allows families and individuals to commemorate loved ones with a donation. Benches are placed throughout Cranberry Township’s three parks, creating meaningful spaces for reflection while supporting the Foundation’s mission to enhance the Township’s parks, trails, and public spaces.

For Stauffer’s family, the bench ensures her legacy continues where she felt most at home – along the trails she loved, surrounded by nature and the community she enjoyed for so many years.