On Friday, March 6, Margaret Catherine Swanson, age 99, joined her husband of 55, years, Carl Sylvester Swanson, and son Richard, in Heaven.

Margaret, known as Marge or Shultz, then Mom, then Mom-Mom, then Mim-Mim across three generations, was a lifelong Marylander, though a part of her soul always belonged at her home on Burning Tree Court at Bethany Beach, Delaware, and she spent many a winter at her "mountain house" in Inwood, West Virginia. She loved to travel, bake and cook, play games and do puzzles, host gatherings, and craft. She was quick with a ditty and even faster with gossip, but always welcoming to those she loved who never left her home empty handed. She enjoyed shopping, crossword puzzles, and decorating; and she took great pride in making a house a home. Family was what drove her; and she leaves a legacy as the matriarch that is hard to fill.

She leaves behind her daughter-in-law, Barbara, who Margaret lived with for the past six years since Rick's passing, her sons, Ronald and Roger, their wives Pamela and Teresa; her pseudo-adopted son Bill Levering, and his wife, Barbara. Her grandchildren and their partners, in order, Christopher, Zach and Priscilla, Megan and Jay, who is surely hugging her in Heaven right now, Courtney and Scott, Ashley and Kyle, and Cameron. Her great-grandchildren in order, Rowan, Rob, Karl, Teal, Aiden, Maddie, Gretchen, Colton, and Emmett; and chow dogs, Rusty the 11th and Misty, and Schultzy the cat. She also leaves many cousins, neighbors and friends who she still kept tabs on, would visit to play cards, and enjoy outings with. She is joining her parents, John Mitchell and Clara Mae Todd; siblings Thelma, Lawrence, Robert, and Dorothy; and their spouses Frank Skalniak; Regina; Etta Jean; and Bob Cooper and several nieces, nephews and cousins - and so many friends who were as close as family. No doubt they are having a big reunion, and Mom-Mom has made all of her famous dishes, and she and her cousin Jo are playing pranks, bestfriend Lorraine are catching up, and she and Ricky are locked in battle to see who truly is the Boggle champion. And poor Granddad will never know a day of peace again. We all will miss her terribly down here, but know Heaven is going to smell a lot sweeter, like fresh baked cookies, and be a lot cozier, when we get to see her again.

A Celebration of her Life is being planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, please remember Margaret with memorial contributions to the Defenders of Animal Rights , P.O. Box 25, Phoenix, Maryland 21131,  (410) 527-1466. Please share online condolences with the family by signing her guestbook through www.peacefulalternatives.com .