Margaret J. (Maggie) Gasnick of Newton died Tuesday following a long illness.

She was born April 10, 1935, in Omaha, Neb. to Thomas and Mildred Chapman. She married Raymond L. Gasnick in 1958 and the couple relocated to Kansas City, Chicago and the Boston area. They settled in Newton and also lived in Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard.

Maggie had a strong desire to help others and serve those in need. She worked for many years as a psychiatric nurse clinician in the emergency room at Boston City Hospital and at University Hospital, and earned a Master’s degree from the Boston College School of Nursing. She supported many causes to end hunger and poverty and to support the environment and human rights, including service on the Peace and Justice Committee at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Newton. She was also a lifelong adventurer with many interests including antique collecting, home restoration, scuba diving and bridge.

Maggie is survived by her three children, Molly Gasnick, Daniel Gasnick and Sheila Gasnick, all of Newton; two grandchildren, Christopher and Colette Moncreiff; and one sister, Mary Pat Nicola of Parker, Colo., and many loving nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents and siblings Rita, James and William Chapman.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial service to honor Maggie from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Magni Funeral Home, 365 Watertown St. in Newton. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, 573 Washington St. in Newton, with a luncheon to follow at the family home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maggie’s name to Habitat for Humanity or The Vineyard Committee on Hunger, P.O. Box 4685, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.