Margaret H. Johnson, age 76, of Wilmington, Delaware passed away suddenly on February 14th, 2020.
Margaret (sometimes known as Grandma Maggie, Maggie, Margie) was born and raised in Dover, Delaware. She attended Dover High School, and she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education from the University of Delaware – where she became the first of three successive generations to spend their college years on the UD campus in Newark.
In her youth and early adulthood, she had many hobbies – she was an artist, an avid reader, and even an amateur race car driver. She has always been young at heart, mind, and spirit.
Margaret spent her career as a teacher. She worked for the Caesar Rodney School District, Wesley Preschool, and spent over 21 years as an art teacher for the Capital School District. After retirement, she worked part-time for the New Castle Historical Society and volunteered with the Brandywine River Museum and the Tri-State Bird Rescue.
Margaret was an avid supporter of the arts. She served two terms on the Delaware State Arts Council and was recognized by the state for her contributions to the Arts. She supported many local arts organizations. An artist herself, she specialized in making handmade paper art and watercolor paintings. She named her paper art “A Peace of Paper”. A common theme in her work was the ginkgo leaf, symbolizing hope, peace, and strength (a common theme in her life too).
Margaret always put her family first. She loved her two grandchildren dearly. Her granddaughter Ashlyn loved that she could tell Grandma Maggie anything and that her grandmother enjoyed hearing all about the big and small things in her life. One of Ashlyn’s favorite memories was when she brought coffee and scones to her grandmother once during the summer and they spent the entire day sitting and talking while enjoying their favorite treats. Margaret was immensely proud and supportive of her granddaughter.
Her Grandson Owen remembers Grandma Maggie as someone who “always encouraged me in my art – she was a beacon of encouragement. It was always fun to make creations with her.” Owen and Grandma Maggie shared the love of art and formed an unbreakable bond through that. The thing that Grandma Maggie loved the most when Owen was little was Wacky Wednesdays. That was the day Grandma Maggie babysat Owen. The two artists were creative and messy and just had fun together – these kindred spirits shared a passion for all things artistic and creative.
Margaret’s friends remember her for her sense of humor, laughter, and loyalty. Some of her friendships extended back to her time at UD. They enjoyed moose tracking adventures in NH, trips to museums and historic sites, butterscotch brownies, long phone conversations, and a lifetime of memories.
Kimberly’s in-laws enjoyed the many life events they shared with Margaret: the marriage of their children, watching their grandchildren grow, extended family visits, holidays, celebrations, and even a friendly “scooter race” at Longwood Gardens.
As a mother, Margaret is remembered for her unconditional love and support. She was funny, had a sarcastic wit, was kind, humble, and creative. She loved to bake. She also enjoyed going to museums, the theatre, and on nature walks. She loved music (particularly The Beatles and Aerosmith). She took special delight in anything her children and grandchildren made for her – these were the items she appreciated the most. Cards, drawings, artwork, little notes, and painted stones – she saved everything created for her. She had an uncanny knack for finding treasures in unexpected places – whether it was a designer bag at TJ Maxx, a Nipper figurine at a yard sale, or a signed Wyeth print at a secondhand store. She liked pretty things and had a unique style. She made a parking space wherever she wanted (whether or not it was even remotely a parking space). She had a complete and total love for animals. During her lifetime, she enjoyed the company of many pets including two golden retrievers (Emily and Tucker), countless cats, a guinea pig, an iguana, zebra finch, a rabbit, a couple of hamsters, mice, and gerbils, and a few goldfish. She cared for stray animals and even the random raccoon or fox that visited her backyard.
Margaret is predeceased by her parents, Elise and Henry Heller of Dover, Delaware. She is survived by her two daughters, Kimberly Lauder and Adrienne Johnson, her son-in-law Duncan Lauder, and her two grandchildren Ashlyn and Owen Lauder.
Margaret was one-of-a-kind. She was dearly loved and will be deeply missed. Those who loved her can be comforted in the thought that she is looking over us from Heaven.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Margaret’s memory to a local arts organization or animal rescue.
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