You may have known her as the sweet little gray-haired lady who walked everywhere; the bank, the grocery store, Walmart, Tudek park. Always cheerful, quick to smile with a friendly comment, Margaret was the spry little old lady known to store clerks and bank tellers alike.
Margaret Clark Wagoner was born in the tiny town of Woodcrest, New Jersey on mischief night 1926. She grew up with her 2 older sisters and her parents who had emigrated from Scotland after WWI. Always proud of her Scottish heritage and the influence of a Depression era childhood, she was true to the adage "Waste Not Want Not."
Margaret met a handsome Navy man during WWII and married him after the war. They had a wonderfully happy life together for 52 years and one daughter, Peggy. As a mother, she had the perfect balance of kindness and discipline in raising her baby-boomer. She was extremely health conscious, always serving whole wheat bread and organic peanut butter in a Wonder Bread/Skippy culture. Margaret cared for her family in a little house built by her husband Bob by a lake in the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
When the nest was empty, Margaret and Bob moved to Sedona, Arizona. As a part-time clerk in an Indian jewelry shop, she was loved dearly by her co-workers and clients. When the love of her life, Bob passed away just before the turn of the millennium and her granddaughter was born 11 months later, it was time to head back East to be close to her descendents.
Margaret was the best grandma ever. She taught her granddaughter, "Kaylee" her ABC's and the 2 of them loved putting puzzles together, playing hide and seek or "fort" under the dining room table.
For the last 2 years of her life, as she exhibited more signs of Alzheimers, she lived with her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. We were fortunate to be able to take care of her in our home to the very end. Though her mind was fading, her sweet personality always shone through. She passed peacefully, as she said she had always been ready to join her husband, Bob. Margaret's ashes will join Bob's in Sedona.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Centre County PAWS 1401 Trout Road, State College,PA or a Veterans organization of your choice.