Margaret Hall Eads

Eads

Margaret Hall Eads "Maggie" (Age 79)

Maggie Eads, master amateur gardener, loving wife, supportive mother, and creative former elementary school teacher, died in the early morning of January 19, 2023 from a fall in her kitchen. The fall was a consequence of the Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) she suffered. MSA is a rare progressive neurological disease that attacks the autonomous nervous system. It was increasingly robbing her of her sense of balance, ability to swallow safely, ability to walk without assistance, ability to speak and to perform many other critical bodily functions. It is always fatal.



Maggie is survived by her devoted husband George, her son Geoffrey, his wife Kate, their twin daughters Elsa and Greta; and her daughter Betsy Good, her husband Matt, their son Cameron and daughter Violet Good She is also survived by two brothers, Tom and Bill Hall.



Maggie was born in Miami Florida, on September 9, 1943, where the family had moved to be closer to her father, who was based with the Atlantic Fleet. After the war they returned to their pre-war home in Anacostia. In the early 1950s the family moved to Clinton, a town in southern Prince George's County. Maggie graduated from Surrattsville High School in Clinton in 1961 and entered the University of Maryland, College Park, receiving a BA in Elementary Education in 1965. That same year she began teaching in Prince George's County schools, first at Palmer Park Elementary School and later at Seabrook and Gaywood Elementary Schools, stopping only one day before the birth of her first child, Geoffrey, on February 19, 1977. A second child, Betsy, was born in April 1978. Between 1977 and 1995 when she returned to teaching, this time in Arlington County, the family moved to Santa Monica, California for two years, back to Washington in 1979, to Detroit in 1987 and in 1988 again back to Washington, her place of residence until her death.



During the 18-year gap in her teaching career, she began to spend more and more of her time gardening. Her back yard provided her with a range of opportunities to experiment. But her gardening horizons really expanded in 1991 when she and George acquired a nearly 10,000 square foot plot of unbuilt-on land across the back alley from their home on Harrison Street. Most of the space was overgrown with trees, bushes, and weeds. Over the next 20 years, Maggie, with help from George, transformed this patch of land into a wonderful garden. Dozens of flowering shrubs – azaleas, tree peonies, camellias -- and hundreds of bulbs – principally daffodils, but also tulips and lilies – were planted. In springtime, the colors were vibrant and beautiful. Existing oak, maple and metasequoia trees were trimmed, and in a few cases where trees were seriously overcrowded, were removed. Other smaller trees – dogwood, redbud, cherry – were introduced. Neighbors began to refer to the lot as "Maggie's Secret Garden." They dropped by to enjoy it. Almost any day when the weather permitted – and sometimes when it didn't -- Maggie could be found working away either in the Secret Garden or in the garden area of her back yard. But she always would interrupt her work to talk to neighbors who had questions about the garden or gardening in general. It was only in late 2022, when she began to fall frequently, that she was forced to cut back her work in her gardens. It was a very painful blow to her.



Maggie also had a keen artistic sense. She had an eye for color and art and decorated her house with beautiful paintings, sculptures and glasswork acquired from travels she and George took around the world. She made stunning floral arrangements.



Maggie also loved the time spent with her children and grandchildren, doting on her grandchildren whenever possible. Christmas was an especially memorable time for her with both her children and grandchildren. Maggie also loved to bring people together, and she helped to organize a Saturday morning exercise group with friends that met at her house for a decade.



It was Maggie's wish that she be cremated. No services are planned for now, but in the spring, when her gardens are in full bloom, we will have a short Service of Remembrance in the gardens to which all her friends and acquaintances are invited. The date will be announced later in the obituary section of the Post.



She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.