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MARGARET METZGER Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for MARGARET METZGER
Rebecca Tolkoff
May 27, 2021
Mrs. Metzger was the first teacher I had who I felt was alive and cared about our lives. She brought literature to life, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I remember her class more clearly than any other in high school. She had our entire class write letters to ourselves and mailed them to us 10 years later. She was really something.
Todd Larson
July 16, 2016
I remember when Margaret Metzger came to my English class in my junior year at Brookline High School to talk about the unique collective living situation in which she and one of my classmates, Walter Wallace, lived in Cambridge. This was the precursor to the cohousing movement that's so big today in greater Boston and parts of Europe. Yes, Margaret was always ahead of her time in her thinking, teaching, mentoring...and living! Rest in peace, Margaret.
Alisa Rotenberg
November 7, 2013
I just found out and I cannot believe it. Many years later, Margaret Metzger's European Lit class remains one of the most important experiences of my life. I am so grateful to have known her.
Phil Tate
September 2, 2013
I use Margaret's advice to a young teacher, in her article "Maintaining a Life," every semester with my beginning teachers at Boston University. Her inspiration and stimulation extended well beyond the confines of Brookline High. We'll miss her.
Anastasia Koniaris
August 19, 2013
I am very sadenned by this news. Margaret, You touched my life in many ways, and i miss You.
July 16, 2013
Our condolences to all of Margaret's loved ones. We read about her loss in the Globe yesterday, and though we didn't know her personally, we can feel how the world is diminished by her passing. Donna, your colleagues in Canton are thinking of you at this difficult time. Elsa Nicolovius, Prof. Dr. Joseph Scionti (Elsa's husband), and Rita Cavonius
Cathy Colglazier
June 27, 2013
Margaret didn't just teach students, she taught those of us who were fortunate enough to be her colleague. When I get compliments on my teaching, I tell them I was changed by my move to Brookline HS and having those hard, wonderful and inspiring discussions with her and my other great English colleagues. I learned of her death tonight here in Jakarta, Indonesia, as I prepare a PowerPoint on how to train new teachers. I was hoping for a photo so I could give a visual to my talk about mentoring colleagues and being creative as she was in establishing Brookline's teacher education program. I'm devastated -- but I will tell the teachers and administrators in Indonesia about Margaret. She will never be gone, for she gave us all so much that we will now carry on to others in her name. My thoughts are with Tell, Catherine and Barbara.
Michael Roberts
June 25, 2013
I am one of many former students. It was the 1970-71 school year and I was a senior at Brookline High. Ms. Metzger was young and had been teaching for only a short time. That fact was not obvious in the classroom. She was a natural and she remains the only English teacher I remember. I remember her because in a very tender and gentle way she urged me to open my eyes and my brain. She challenged me without demoralizing me. It was through her that I came to appreciate language and literature. It was because of her that gained a fuller understanding the importance of converting our thoughts into words and from words into stories. Ms. Metzger touched my soul in a very special way by bringing bright light where there was little. She opened the door and invited me to walk through it unlocking a world that I had before not known existed. Her love of her students and for English made being in her classroom fun and it made learning joyful. I always hoped to one day see her again to express my deep appreciation for the love that she brought into the classroom. Ms. Metzger's love was not only for her work, her love was enjoyed by each of her students. I was and remain eternally grateful to have had the good fortune and benefit of being those students. May she be blessed forever and rest in eternal peace.
Jonathan Posin
June 24, 2013
Very fond memories of a truly great teacher in my senior year in 1971 @ BHS. Smart, demanding, in tune with the psyche of her students.
Norah Dooley
June 22, 2013
My deepest sympathies to all who knew her best. This must be a terrible loss.
I didn't realize that "Mrs. Metzger" was only 27 years old when she was our 12th grade English teacher. Wow. The woman had 'gravitas'. Way before anyone did this she had us write contracts for our grades and kept us to our promises. She could not be played with! Mrs.M ( we were not on a first name basis with teachers back in the day) often called me out for discussing books with out reading them, spouting opinions without thinking about them and doing anything less than my best work.
I respected her more than any other adult in high school and learned much from her example as an educator. Now I am teacher and I find her 'lessons' are as useful as they were novel in 1971.
Josna Rege
June 22, 2013
I am mourning Margaret Metzger's death and remembering her with love and gratitude. Ms. Metzger was my English teacher in 1970-71, my senior year of high school, and, I think, her very first year at BHS. I can see her in my mind's eye as I write, our youngest teacher, fresh from university, reading to us from her novel in class. Her honesty, energy, love of teaching, and complete engagement with her students made her stand out above every other high school teacher I have had. To this day I have my old English papers with her comments on them. Her comments on those papers still speak to me like an inner voice, both her sincere praise and her sharp disappointment when I failed to live up to my end of a bargain. My sympathy and sincere condolences go out to her family and everyone who loved her. I went on to become an English teacher, and Ms. Metzger continues to be a touchstone for me, as a writer, a teacher, and a human being.
Sara Schley
June 18, 2013
Like so many of Margaret's students who've shared their feelings on these pages, my gratitude is boundless. She taught me how to live. What strikes me now, is in her final gift Margaret is teaching us how to die. Barbara and Abby and others in her most intimate circle have described how she was Margaret all the way: focused on beauty and love, inquiry and curiosity, generosity and gratitude, and most of all, “Happy, happy, happy.”
Thank you Margaret for blazing trail. Showing us the path of fearless and fierce love for every ounce of life.
(Margaret, did I get the proverbial “red pen” out enough in the above? Cut the flowery sentimentality, leave the bold essence? You are always and ever on my left shoulder as I write: “Clarity is brevity”; “Show don't tell”; “Write what you know”; “I know what I feel when I see what I write.” Speak truth, ruthlessly cut the rest. Here's my truth: love you forever. I'm gonna keep that line in.)
June 14, 2013
We are so saddened to learn of Margaret's passing. We were neighbors for several years, and she was a lovely, kind person. I was a young mother at the time, and she went our of her way to be supportive and compassionate.
Our condolences to Barbara and Margaret's children.
The Dassels
June 7, 2013
I became a teacher in large part because of Mrs. Metzger. My condolences to her loved ones. - Jen Miller Tomaneng
Rob Crawford
June 6, 2013
Margaret Metzger taught me "The Art of the Essay" my junior year at Brookline High, then "European Literature" my senior year (I was class of 1986). Other than my parents, no adult made a bigger impact on me than she did. Of course, she made me an excellent writer, reader, and critical thinker. But more importantly, she was the first adult who told me I was a remarkable human being in a way that was actually believable to me. In other words, she made me believe I am a remarkable person with unlimited potential. Because of her, I believe in myself, and also because of her, I became an English teacher. What an incredible life she had!!!
Bella (Voldman) Kazwell
June 5, 2013
I am so sad to hear that Ms. Metzger is gone. I was her student in Brookline 13 years ago. In addition to teaching me how to be a better reader and writer, she has taught me a lot about life. I still often think about her lessons like "stop waiting" when reading Waiting for Godot, or teaching us how to say good bye at the end of our senior year, as well of lots of other things that she said seemingly in passing, but that I still carry with me.
Rosalie Siemon Lochner
June 5, 2013
I try to speak to Margaret Metzger even as I speak of her. When I read the world as a book, I feel her influence. She taught me that the educator's task might also be a feminist's labor of love.
Kimberly (Ong) Leichtner
June 5, 2013
I'm so grateful to have had the privilege of learning from Ms. Metzger. She expected only the best from her students and in return gave us her best. She was an exceptional teacher who made a positive impact on my life. I will always remember her with great affection and admiration.
Michael Kelley
June 4, 2013
I am terribly saddened by this news and send my love to Margaret's family. I spent my senior year, 1986, in her company and owe her more than anyone for my becoming an English teacher. It was she who turned me on to reading and writing. Years later she taught me again in a Socratic Seminar course that is a staple of my classroom. She lives on through my students who never were graced with her presence.
Mike Kelley
Elisabeth McCaffrey
June 4, 2013
I learned so much in Ms. Metzger's European Literature class at BHS; 13 years later her lessons continue to shape me as both a reader and writer. I am very grateful that I had the chance to learn from her. She was an amazing teacher who touched so many lives. My thoughts are with her family.
Ted Nesson
June 4, 2013
My sincere and deepest condolences to Margaret's friends and family. I took "Art of the Essay" from Margaret in 1977. I can think of no course or teacher at BHS that had a greater impact on me. Without doubt, she was one of the finest teachers I ever encountered, and that includes college and graduate school. She will be truly missed, but her lessons live on in all of her students.
Diane Bailey-Boulet
June 4, 2013
I am terribly sad to read this news. Margaret Metzger taught me to think and communicate in ways I had never known before. Taking her "Art of the Essay" class in 1977 was one a true highlight of my two years at Brookline High. Interestingly, I met my closest friends in that class when I was new to BHS and knew no one. I stay in touch with them 35 years later. Margaret challenged my assumptions, made us laugh, even cry. Most of all she taught in a way so unlike any I had experienced before. It was parts scary and parts entirely freeing--and always engaging. I make my living as a writer and communication coach now. I feel indebted to Margaret Metzger for equipping me to be confident in my abilities--and open to new ideas. My love to her family. I am forever touched for the better for having the good fortune to be her student.
Ilona Lemeshov
June 4, 2013
I am devastated. She was truly an inspiration and changed me profoundly, I will forever have a special place in my heart for her.
Laura Wilker
June 4, 2013
What can I say to add to these tributes? I took Art of the Essay 1985-6 and I, too, still hear her voice in my head almost 30 years later. She taught me so much, both in terms of writing, right and wrong, and humanity. What a gift to have touched so many lives -- indeed, to have deeply affected so many people. I hope you can take solace in her legacy.
Rebecca Warner
June 4, 2013
Thank you Ms. Metzger for teaching me how to write and think critically about literature. You really were an incredible teacher and person and will be deeply missed.
Steve Kantrowitz
June 4, 2013
Margaret's "Art of the Essay" changed many lives forever. "I write to find out what I know," read the banner above her chalkboard in 1984; "passive voice!," read her comments in the margins. Both lessons stuck. But her real gift to us, whether we became teachers or something else, was the vivacious brilliance and intensity she brought to the classroom every day.
Yael Marshall
June 4, 2013
She was an incredible teacher. I wrote the piece I'm most proud of in her class. She pushed us to be good students and good people.
Emily Laufgraben
June 4, 2013
She changed my life. Challenged me to be not only a better student, but a better person. A mentor who I will never forget.
Callie Watkins
June 4, 2013
Ms. Metzger was not only the most amazing teacher but an amazing person. She taught us how to read literature and how to read life. She made such a fundamental difference in my life I could never thank her enough. I ran into her last summer, and was hoping to meet up with her again this summer. I'm heart broken to hear this and send my most sincere condolences to her family.
Callan Stein
June 4, 2013
I believe every student who ever walked into a class taught by Ms. Metzger walked out a better student, but more importantly a better person. There is no question that I did. Ms. Metzger cared so much about all of her students and she had the rare ability to capture her students' attention and enable them to personalize each of her lessons. Whether she was reading "Where the Wild Things Are" to 17-year old high school students, or explaining to us how Count Ugolino was perpetuating his sin in Dante's Inferno, or making me cross out and correct every usage of the passive voice in my papers (and there were many), Ms. Metzger's lessons were unique and special for each of her students, and they remain with me today. I am a much better student, person, and professional for having had the privilege of being one of her students. This is a profound loss for all of us who had her as a teacher, but more so for those who will never have that opportunity. I take solace in knowing that Ms. Metzger has left behind such a wonderful legacy in her family, friends, and all of her students who she never stopped teaching.
Dara Cheek
June 3, 2013
She was an amazing teacher, she really contributed to my high school experience. And I so appreciated receiving my "10-year-letter" from her years ago; it was a profound experience. She will be deeply missed.
Dana Tilkin
June 3, 2013
She was the best teacher I ever had, honest, earnest and passionate! I can't believe she is gone, but she is unforgettable and changed my life.
Mary Epstein
June 3, 2013
Mrs. Metzger taught English to my younger daughter Nomi about 17 years ago at Brookline High School. In an earlier note I stated that she taught Nomi's sister Becca too. Our family is deeply saddened to hear word of her passing.
Mary Epstein, Brookline MA
Jennifer Jarvis Phillips
June 3, 2013
Ms. Metzger was my teacher in graduate school at Brown University. She was one of the most passionate, dedicated, and diligent teachers. I still recount her saying to our class, "Don't play school." She encouraged us to give our best to genuine, long-lasting learning for our students. She was also so dedicated to her family. My deepest condolences. What loss and what a legacy.
Mary Epstein
June 3, 2013
I am so sorry to hear this. When Margaret taught my child Rebecca at Brookline High School twenty years ago, she touched the whole family. Mary Epstein
Karen Chaffee
June 3, 2013
My love to all the Metzger, Kleeman and Treece family. Margaret was a wonderful woman and teacher. She is loved and celebrated by many.
Karen Chaffee
Perrine Robinson-Geller
June 3, 2013
My deepest condolences. Margaret Metzger was an extraordinary teacher. I took "Art of The Essay" in 1977. Her class was an incredibly intellectually stimulating environment and I learned more from her than from any other teacher until graduate school. Even now as I write, I hear her voice in my head, helping me shape how I communicate. I have tried to pass her lessons on to my own students. Her legacy lives on.
Christine (McVinney) Gerzon
June 3, 2013
Dear Metzger Family,
I send you all my deepest sympathies as you mourn Margaret's passing. I spend many good times with her in the late '60's and '70's including a cross-country camping trip. I admired her intelligence and wit. With Love, Chris Gerzon
Theresa Lungu
June 3, 2013
My deepest condolences to Barbara and the Treece family on Margaret's passing. I am ever so grateful for Margaret's support for the Books For Zambia project.
David Hoffer
June 3, 2013
I was fortunate to be a student of Mrs. Metzger's twice at Brookline High School - for "Art of the Essay" in 1984, and for "European Literature" in 1985-86. Both were profoundly formative experiences. She taught me to write, but she also taught me to listen to my own voice. I still write in the thought journal she assigned almost 30 years ago. I hope her loved ones will take comfort in knowing what an inspiration she was to so many of us.
June 3, 2013
Dear Catherine, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear mother, please let warm memories be your comfort.
Donna Magnasco
Alexandra Olins
June 3, 2013
She was absolutely one of the best teachers I have ever had...what a loss. I had her as an English teacher in 1985, and have never forgotten her! She will be missed.
Susan Stark
June 3, 2013
I am so sad to hear this news. Margaret and I worked together for years. She was an amazing teacher and supportive colleague. I was fortunate to have known her. May you all find comfort from the memories you have of Margaret as well as the support of family and friends.
Jeffrey Bernstein
June 3, 2013
It was because of Margaret's "Art of the Essay" class that I became a teacher and decided to pursue philosophy. She will be greatly missed.
Marilyn (Kelly-Anderson) Chetwynd
June 2, 2013
A will always remember Margaret, a beloved and much admired colleague at Brookline High, as a woman of great strength, integrity, talent, wisdom, and compassion. Her excellence as a teacher, colleague, and friend touched so many lives; she truly made a difference. Loving condolences to Margaret's family; you are in my prayers.
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