Today we cast our spotlight on Maggie Early, newly named President of Mesnekoff Funeral Home, Inc. Maggie’s path to her current position has been a winding one that intersected with the Jewish community at every turn.

The single mother of three daughters – Skylar (18), Rylie (12) and Phoebe (8) – Maggie’s first cross section was when she was a college student at Canisius. “I took a Jewish Thought & Practice class taught by Cantor Mark Horowitz. I loved the class and learning from the cantor. That experience along with my involvement with the JCC, as both a mom of kids in the early childhood program, and ultimately working there as a teacher, were the beginnings of my Jewish journey.” Last year, Maggie took part in Federation’s Introduction to Judaism class, she attends Federation’s Women Gathering and is completing her conversion with Congregation Shir Shalom.

“From Maggie’s early days as an educator at the JCC to her leadership role today, she has been weaving herself into the fabric of Jewish Buffalo with warmth, generosity, and a deep sense of purpose,” remarks Federation CEO Miriam Abramovich. “Her work as a resident funeral director is both sacred and essential, and we are so fortunate to have her as part of our community.”

Maggie’s journey to becoming a resident funeral director has also been circuitous and fortuitous! “I answered an ad in 2021 to be an assistant at Mesnekoff’s, and quickly loved the roles that Jay Mesnekoff gave to me,” shared Maggie. “He let me sit in on meetings with families which I found particularly rewarding. One thing led to another, and I enrolled at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and passed my board exams this January.”

Jay Mesnekoff reflected, “From the moment I hired Maggie, she has caught on to the tasks and responsibilities I gave her, quickly adapting to our business. I noticed her professionalism and warmth with the families, and I was pleasantly surprised when she decided to become a funeral director. It’s an honor to know that the Mesnekoff name will continue into the future to serve our community and that it is in very competent hands.”

“I have found Buffalo’s Jewish community so welcoming and inclusive,” notes Maggie. “All three of my daughters went through the JCC’s Early Childhood Program and attended JCC camps. And while they were learning about Judaism, I was learning alongside them and now I’ve come full circle working again in the Jewish community.”

Mazal Tov to Maggie on her new role with Mesnekoff and for making Jewish Buffalo her home.