Margaret (Margie) Dent
Margaret (Margie) Dent
Margaret (Margie) Dent lived a spiritual, eventful 79 years before the Lord welcomed her home on March 17, 2023. Margie’s life spanned several cities and chapters, beginning in Greenville, PA where she was raised by Bill, whose “Rogerian parenting” inspired her own, and Louise, whose understated resilience and brilliance echoed in Margie’s life and education.
That education brought Margie to the College of Wooster, where she first focused on science as she did in high school before becoming enamored by English. Her enduring affinity for language is a defining feature of Margie’s remarkable life and legacy: her love of reading led to a large library of books being shared with friends, while her love of writing led to volumes of letters sent to them and especially her daughter Amy. Amy is now a professor in California whose passion for teaching was sparked by her generous and patient mother’s devotion to it.
That devotion to teaching earned Margie a Master’s degree from Emory University through a prestigious Ford Foundation Fellowship, which enabled her to teach middle school in Atlanta during the early days of integration. It was in Atlanta that Margie met her husband Al, whose career she then followed to Pittsburgh, PA and Dunkirk, NY where she continued to teach English. Margie and Al made their final home in Fredonia, NY where they welcomed her mother to live with them in a house Al lovingly adapted for Louise. Amy did the same for her mother in California, where Margie passed away following a courageous battle with cancer. The last chapter of Margie’s life was made immeasurably more joyful, meaningful, and sustainable through the community of Quakers she joined in Fredonia.
In lieu of flowers, please mail a letter to Margie’s address in Fredonia sharing a favorite story or memory about her. Amy will adorn her home in California with these letters from loved ones as Margie did her home in Fredonia, where she leaves behind a legacy of kindness toward those who crossed her path. That path now reunites Margie with her beloved parents and husband in Heaven.
We will gather to honor Margie’s life on the three-month anniversary of her passing, June 17th at Barlow’s Mill in Fredonia (369 West Main Steet). Inspired by the meetings for worship Margie attended at Barlow’s Mill, her Celebration of Life will not follow a structured schedule but instead offer loved ones an opportunity to share memories of her when moved to do so. As a result, please feel welcome to join us in joyful reflection and celebration of Margie’s life anytime between 1:00pm and 4:00pm on Saturday, June 17th at Barlow’s Mill. If unable to do so in person, please wear something yellow – Margie’s favorite color – that day to brighten it and honor her. Guests at the Celebration of Life are encouraged to wear yellow, as well.