Margaret Close
October 2, 1939 ~ August 12, 2011
Close, Margaret Oreta (Holder), who grew up a beautiful ballerina, loving wife and inspirational mother, danced her way into heaven early last Friday morning. Margaret, best known as Maggie to family and friends, died August 12, 2011, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, St. Francis Hospital. She was 71. Her husband of 50 years, Darrell Dan Close, 69, died just three years earlier. Maggie fought cancer and other health problems for eight years until she was unable to win the battle. Family members were at her bedside when she died. Many of her life-long friends, neighbors and other family members paid respects to her in the final hours of her life, giving her encouragement and love in the hours before Maggie slipped away peacefully, at long last free from pain and suffering. She was born October 2, 1939, in Wichita to Clarence Edward and Florence Winifred (Bertrand) Holder. She grew up in a more carefree and idyllic time, and enjoyed reminiscing about simpler days. She was a talented dancer in her youth, played church organ, and with Darrell enjoyed vacationing with other friends. She graduated from West High School in Wichita in 1957. Maggie met her future husband at St. Lukes Methodist Churchs MYF program when they were in their early teens. They married February 21, 1958. In five years they had three sons and she ran a busy household. Maggie had a generous heart, a curious mind and humble spirit. Maggie had been a legal secretary, working for several law offices before retiring in 2001. The years in between were filled with family vacations to Missouri, home-cooked family dinners and her favorite hobbies: reading, writing poetry, estate sales and traveling. Maggie dreamed about joining Darrell in heaven and recalling those special moments of their lives. Now, at long last, they are both being watched over by the Lord. She leaves behind a sister, Rodenia Fletcher; and three sons, Danny (Laura Kelly); Patrick (Diane); and Edward. Other survivors include nine grandchildren: Meaghan Smith, David, Matthew, Thomas, Amy, John, Chelsea, Martha and Mallory; a great-grandchild, Rilynn; a niece, Rhonda Sacks; and beloved cousin, Florence Bernice Jeys. In 2009 Maggie joined the Catholic Church. A rosary will be said at 6:30 p.m. Monday, August 15, 2011, at Downing Lahey West, 10515 W. Maple. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. the next morning at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 861 N. Socora. Burial will be a private family service at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Mt. Hope, Kansas. Donations may be directed to Center of Hope, 400 N. Emporia, Wichita, KS 67202 and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 N. Market, Wichita, KS 67202.
Memorial Mass of the Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Tuesday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with the Rosary being said 6:30 PM Monday at Downing Lahey West Mortuary.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
My wife, Pat, and I knew Maggie for only a few years. We took poetry classes with her and belonged to a local poetry group where we all read our poems to one another. This poem is for her. Maggie She provided Virginia with an excuse to make hats and caps and wore them with grace. In her peach fuzz dignity she inspired us with her every day down to earth grit, her humor, her love for her family, her determination to prevail as long as she could. It is over now, and all we can do is pray thst in our end we will have her fighting spirit, her quiet dignity, her will to make the days that remain a kind of poetry.
Dan, Pat, Eddie, grandchildren and great-granddaughter. Dear Maggie’s family. My heart is with all of you. The good thing is Maggie will suffer no longer in this life. She was my best friend for 56 years. Maggie was a wonderful person, Mother, Grandmother (Gussie) and Great-Grandmother. I know you will miss her so much. I talked to Maggie practically every week this summer and usually every month before that. I knew this day would come but all of us have to be comforted that she is with our Lord and Savior. Remember the wonderful memories that you have of Maggie and Dan. They were both such unique people and I always saw them when I came home to Wichita to see my family. I miss your parents and grandparents too as they were both my dearest friends growing up and then in our adult life too. God’s blessings to you all. I loved Maggie like a sister. Beverly Howe RN CPUR
I remember ‘Maggie’ and her husband Darrell very well. Darrell and I were second cousins. Maggie was always a very congenial young lady, mother and wife. The family can be very proud of her and her accomplishment in life. I can remember the day Maggie and Darrell got married. It was a simple but very beautiful wedding. As a young photographer then recently out of the Army, their wedding the first of many I had the opportunity to photograph.
Maggie fought a long hard battle with cancer. She’s no longer suffering which is a blessing. Maggie has been my dearest friend for 56 years as we met at Allison Middle School. Maggie was a fantastic straight A student. I will miss you so much Maggie but knowing you are with our Lord is a great comfort. I loved you so much and as your daughter-in-law Laura said you were so easy to love. Rest in peace dear friend.
My thoughts and prayers are with my OL friend in this time of great sorrow and grief. I wish that you did not have to endure this time of your life with your loss, but I also have learned that you are a capable and strong man who has received many blessings and a great intellect from your parents which in turn has provided you with the success that you enjoy.
My sincere condolences to Pat Close and his family for their loss.
Dan, Pat and Eddie, My thoughts and prayers are with you. I’m so sorry for your loss. She was a great lady.