PEEKSKILL, NY: On Saturday, August 9, family and friends of Margaret Babey Lee came together at downtown Peekskill's 12 Grapes Restaurant to celebrate her 70th birthday. The dinner was a surprise-event, given by her two, always effervescent daughters, Karen Lee and Melissa Perdue.

Mrs. Babey-Lee is a life-long Peekskill resident and the daughter of Professor Petro and Margaret (Duda) Babey, both of blessed memory. Professor Babey, a graduate of the Cantor/Teacher's Seminary in Prijashev, was cantor and choir director at SS. Peter & Paul Greek Catholic Church as well as a teacher of music and liturgy throughout the greater New York City area.

Margaret retired this past spring after a career in the civil service sector. She was joined at the restaurant by many friends, including His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil. Her sister, Marie Scarmalino and other members of the Babey, Lee and Scarmalino families, most former members of SS. Peter & Paul, were also present.

Vladyka Mykhayil offered the invocation at the dinner. In the prayer, he thanked God for the great blessing of being together to celebrate the marvelous and always honest, forthright person that is Margaret. He recalled the deep devotion she has maintained, despite many hardships and obstacles, to her faith and to her ancestral heritage, praying that the Lord will keep her bound closely together with family and friends for many more happy and spiritually fruitful years.

Included in this article are some pictures from the celebration. Click on them to enlarge.

God grant to his servant, Margaret Babey Lee, many happy and blessed years! Mnohaya i blahaya lita!