Margaret Gene Loudin Kadar – Voorhees, N.J., formerly of White Oak

Margaret Gene Loudin Kadar, age 93, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, at Brandywine Living, Voorhees, N.J. Margaret was born Dec. 9, 1927, in Cameron, W.Va., and was raised in Ronceverte, W.Va., the only child of Louise Mayfield and Toddy Loudin (the state’s winningest high school coach). She graduated as valedictorian from Greenbrier High School and attended Greenbrier College for Women before transferring to West Virginia University. At WVU, she was a sister of the Delta Gamma sorority and graduated with a degree in home economics in 1949. She attended the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz School of Business, earning a master’s degree in 1950. On her first day at Pitt, she stood next to fellow student Alex Kadar while lined up alphabetically for a class picture. After introducing themselves, Al treated Margaret Gene to coffee and they were married 18 months later. They would have celebrated their 70th anniversary on Feb. 17, 2021. Margaret and Al lived in White Oak, where they owned Kadar’s, a chain of six men’s clothing stores in the McKeesport area. She was first and foremost a devoted wife and mother, pausing her career to raise her five children. She inherited her father’s passion for sports and frequently traveled across western Pennsylvania and surrounding states, never missing one of her children’s events. Once her children were raised and in between visits to her grandchildren, Margaret devoted herself to community service. She was elected to White Oak Council in 1982 and served for 18 years, the last 16 as council president. In White Oak, she was known as a businesswoman with a heart of gold, a compassionate but fiscally responsible leader. She left the borough with a $2 million surplus upon her retirement, all without raising taxes. She was also a member of the committee that first established Allegheny County’s Home Rule Charter, which was passed into law in 1998. She received the Outstanding Citizen Award from the League of Women Voters for her diligent work on the charter. In addition to sports, she inherited a passion for antiques from her mother. She was a lifelong collector and taught antiques and appraisals at Community College of Allegheny County and the University of Pittsburgh. She was also an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Margaret Gene and Al were lifelong members of Transfiguration of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church in McKeesport. In 2001, they closed their family business and moved to Haddonfield, N.J., to be close to their youngest son, Dr. Tom Kadar and his family. Margaret Gene is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Alex Frank Kadar. She is also survived by five children and their spouses, daughters, Kathy (Daniel) Ruge and Jo (Michael) Proops; and sons, Howard “Todd” (Amy) Kadar, Ken (Donna) Kadar and Dr. Tom (Lori) Kadar. She is “Mamaw” to 13 grandchildren, Laura Ruge (Trevor) Johnson, Dr. Jessica Ruge (John) Leggett, Dr. Kenny (Michelle) Proops, Graham (Mary Elise) Kadar, Natalie Kadar (Matt) Bedinghaus, Ethan Kadar, Blake Kadar, Taryn Kadar (Taylor Noland), Kenny (Gina) Kadar, Juliana Kadar, Tommy Kadar, Alex Kadar and Marlina Kadar; and nine great-grandchildren, Grayson, Gannon, Maggie and May Johnson, Jackson and Andrew Leggett, Liam and Benett Proops and Isla Bedinghaus. Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life at STRIFFLERS OF WHITE OAK CREMATION AND MORTUARY SERVICES, 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131, 412-678-6177, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. Divine Liturgy will follow at noon at St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church in McKeesport. The service will be streamed live at https://livestream.com/accounts/29233902/events/9506220. Private burial will follow. The family and our team members appreciate that all visitors follow the current CDC guidelines, including wearing of masks, social distancing and capacity limits. Remembrances can be made in Margaret Kadar’s name to McKeesport Library – White Oak branch at https://mckeesportlibrary.org/support-the-library. Please note her name under special instructions. To share a memory or condolence, visit strifflerfuneralhomes.com.