WILMINGTON — Margaret “Jean” Jane McFall, 86, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on February 7, 1940, in Portadown, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, Margaret was the beloved daughter of Samuel R and Mary Jane (Herron) Swain. She spent her early childhood in Northern Ireland before immigrating to the United States with her family in April 1952. She proudly became a naturalized United States citizen in December 1958. While she embraced her new home in America, she always carried her Irish heritage close to her heart, and she loved to tell all about this.
Margaret was united in marriage to Charles McFall in August 1958, beginning a loving marriage that lasted until Charles’s passing in June 2016. Together, they shared 57 years of love, family, and cherished memories, building a life centered on devotion to one another and their family.
After Charlie passed, Margaret moved from Manchester, Connecticut, to the Wilmington, North Carolina area in April 2017 to be closer to her daughter’s family. She embraced this new chapter of her life surrounded by the love and support of those closest to her.
A devoted woman of faith, Margaret became a member of Manchester Church of the Nazarene after immigrating to the United States and remained a faithful member throughout her years in Connecticut. She served many roles in the church, including singing in the choir and sharing solos and duets with the church. She devoted 12 years of service as the church secretary, faithfully serving her church family with dedication and compassion. She later enjoyed a successful 20-year career with Cigna in Hartford, Connecticut, retiring after years of dedicated service.
She is survived by her daughters, Lori (Edward) Lewis of Leland, North Carolina, and Barbara Chilcoat of Columbia, Mississippi; her grandchildren, Allen (Brittany) Lewis of Leland, North Carolina, Kristin (Christopher) Jacoby of Adelaide, Australia, John Mark (Chloe) Chilcoat of Bartow, Florida, and Megan (Christopher) Nelson of Tampa, Florida; her nine cherished great-grandchildren; her brother, Alfred (Arlene) Swain of Sarasota, Florida; her sister-in-law, Sandra Swain of Madison, Connecticut; her brother-in-law, Ernest (Monica) McFall of Orlando, Florida; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Margaret will be remembered for her gentle spirit, quiet strength, unwavering resilience, and unconditional love for her family. She found her greatest joy in watching her family grow and treasured the time spent with those she loved. Her kindness, grace, and steadfast devotion to both her family and her faith will remain an enduring legacy for generations to come.
In addition to her husband, Charles, Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Mary Herron Swain; her brother, George Swain; her sister, Mary Swain Phillips; and her son-in-law, John Chilcoat.
Funeral and memorial service arrangements will be announced by the family.
Though Margaret’s presence will be deeply missed, her love, wisdom, and the memories she created will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
