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Margaret M. Preston

By Billie Owens

From Batavia Downs:


Avon, NY---Western New York horsewoman Margaret M. Preston died on November 22, 2017. She was 92. 

Preston was born October 31, 1926, the daughter of the late William and Marie (Cleary) Preston. She is survived by her sister Maureen Kingston; nieces and nephew Maura (Emil) Kostraba, John (Beth) Kingston, Sheila Kingston (Wes Clements), Andrea (Jon) Bailey; several great nieces and great nephews. She was pre-deceased by her brother-in-law David Kingston. 

Ms. Preston was an avid horsewoman who raced harness horses for many years. She bred and owned several Standardbred race horses in addition to training and driving them. Her last win in the sulky came with trotter Serious Fan at the Palmyra Fair in a New York County Fair stakes in 2009 at the age 84.

Ms. Preston was a member of the United States Trotting Association and the Western New York Harness Horseman’s Association.

Besides racing horses, Ms. Preston was retired from the Dundee Central School District as a Librarian Media Specialist.

Family and friends are invited to call Sunday (Nov. 26) from 4-7 p.m. at the Stephenson-Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc. 350 Genesee St, Avon, NY. Her Funeral Mass will be held Monday (Nov. 27) at 10 a.m. at St. Agnes Church, Avon, NY followed by interment at St. Agnes Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Agnes Cemetery, 96 Prospect Street Avon, NY 14414, or St. Rose Cemetery P.O. Box 8A Lima, NY 14485.

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