Margaret B. Birbick

1923 - 2025

Margaret “Marge” Bruther Birbick entered this world on January 1, 1923, at 5 minutes after Midnight – the first baby born in the New Year, in Trenton, New Jersey. She passed peacefully on December 11, just 20 days shy of what would have been her 103rd birthday on January 1st

She was born to the late Thomas and Margaret (nee Smythe) Bruther in Trenton, N.J. She was married to the love of her life for 45 years, Edward “Ed” George Birbick, who passed away in 1996 . Marge was a graduate of Rider University and her biggest joy was being a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

She worked for the Department of Defense at Fort Monmouth for many years until her retirement in 1980, at which time she and Ed moved permanently to their summer house at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, where she said they had the best years of their life. In 1988 they made the move to Wilmington to be near family. Always loving travel and adventures, Marge cruised overseas when she graduated from college and spent several months touring in Europe, with Switzerland and France being her favorite countries. Her love of travel continued with her husband and children over the years, and she said that was the best way to ‘’expand your horizons’’. Marge was always very involved with bridge, volunteering and exercise and enjoyed tennis, golf, swimming and biking – she rode her stationary bike ninety minutes a day from 1968 until she turned 98. Her motto in life was ‘’keep going’’. Always with a wonderful sense of humor, when she turned 100, she was asked what pearl of wisdom would she like to share, to help others live a long life – her answer was “behave”.

She is survived by her two children: William Birbick and Carolyn Birbick Ownby (Ralph), her grandchildren, Paul Milam, Jr. and Alex Birbick. She is preceded in death by her three brothers, Thomas, James, and John Bruther and sister Kathleen Bruther Lanning. Margaret’s memory will also be cherished by many more family, friends, nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Catherine Daum and staff, for the decades of care and devotion and to the Brightmore Community where she lived for 10+ years. The love and care she received over the years added so many years to her wonderful life.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:30am, Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at St. Mark Catholic Church. A reception will follow at St. Mark.