Margaret G. Birely, 89, of Evergreen Estates Retirement Community, formerly of 51 Highland Dr., Lancaster, passed away on Sunday, June 18, 2006.

Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late August H. and Anna Schmidt Gegg.  She was the wife of the late Leo V. Birely.

Margaret owned and operated the former Birely's Grocery Store for twenty years. Previously, she worked at Slaymaker Lock Company for thirty years.

A member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, she volunteered for twenty-one years for Meals on Wheels and fifteen years at Conestoga View.

Margaret is survived by nieces and nephews.  She was the last of her immediate family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 501 E. Orange St., Lancaster, PA on Friday at 11AM.  Interment in St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery.  Friends will be received at the church on Friday from 10AM until the time of Mass.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Margaret's memory to the Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Dr., Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.