Margaret Maron
August 25, 1938 - February 23, 2021
Raleigh, North Carolina - It is with great sadness that the family of mystery writer Margaret Brown Maron announces her death on February 23, 2021, from complications due to stroke.
Born in Greensboro, NC, in 1938 to C.O. and Claudia Stephenson Brown she grew up on her mother's family farm near McGee's Crossroads in Johnston County. A graduate of Cleveland High School, which inducted her into its Hall of Fame in 2016, she attended UNC-Greensboro, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Brooklyn College, CUNY, yet managed not to graduate from any of them. In 1958, while working in the Pentagon for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, she met a young naval officer assigned to an adjoining office who proposed a week after their first date. They married six months later. After a three-year tour of duty in Naples, Italy, they returned to his home town of Brooklyn, NY, where their only son was born. It was during this time that she gave herself a writing course from books in the Brooklyn Public Library and it was here that she had her first short story published under her maiden name in 1968 in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine entitled, "The Death of Me."
They built a vacation home on a corner of the family farm in Johnston County and moved there permanently in 1972. All thirty of her books and most of her short stories were written there. Drawing heavily on her North Carolina roots, she was considered a forerunner in popularizing regional mysteries set far away from the mean streets of NY, LA, or Chicago.
One of the founders of Sisters in Crime, she served as its third president. She also served as president of Mystery Writers of America, which named her Grand Master in 2013. Her books won numerous national awards, including the Edgar, Agatha, Anthony and Macavity Awards, and have been taught in classes on contemporary culture and literature. In 2008, she received the North Carolina Award, her state's highest civilian honor. In 2010, she received an honorary doctorate from UNC-Greensboro and in 2016, she was inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame.
She is survived by Joseph John Maron, her much-loved husband of 61 years; their son John Maron and daughter-in-law Andrea Cumbee Maron, and their granddaughters Julia and Natalie, all of Raleigh; her sister Edna Brown Reynolds of Garner, NC; her sister-in-law, Margaret Quaranto of Calverton, NY; the whole Sue and Carl Honeycutt clan; several nieces and nephews, and dozens of close friends.
An avid Scrabble player, she was inordinately proud of scoring three seven-letter words in an epic game with writer friends Nancy Pickard and Susan Dunlap, and she never hesitated to brag about the time she earned 311 points for the word braziers.
Before she died, Margaret Maron said, "My epitaph should read, 'She knew what she had.' I have been supremely lucky with my husband, my family, my friends and my work. Nobody gets it all, but I came pretty damn close."
Her favorite charities were, in her words, "Doctors Without Borders; Harbor Inc. (PO Box 1903, Smithfield, NC 27577); and the Democratic Party, bless its heart." A donation to any of these would honor her memory.
Funeral arrangements are private.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News & Observer on Feb. 26, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Margaret Maron

Sponsored by National Cremation Service - Greensboro.

32 Entries

Lynn Delage

December 28, 2024

I an rereading the Judge Knott series and realized I wasn't sure I had her latest. Was so upset when I realized the one I didn't have was her last book. I will miss her. I am a Texas so some of the southern customs are familiar. I am also a yellow dog Democrat. She was a wonderful writer and evidently a wonderful woman. My condolences to her family. She will be remembered fondly for many years by many people.

Sue Weaver San Francisco CA

December 11, 2024

I loved her books so much. Just learned of her death recently when I realized I had not seen a new work of hers for a while I learned so much about a certain segment of Southern culture. Her work will be greatly missed!

Lyn McConchie

November 20, 2024

I ran across Margaret's book, The Bootleggers Daughter, in my country (New Zealand) and was hooked. I owned all of those books and read, read, and reread them year after year. Finally, since I'm almost 79, this year they have been packed up and gone to a friend in Canada who now loves them as much as I do. I hope they'll last a lot longer with her and before HER death, be passed on again. They're wonderful reading, and even now I remember so many of the plots and characters.

Laurie G.

November 19, 2024

Just finished rereading her wonderful books, which have always left me with a greater understanding of so many things, including family, love of the land, and the state of North Carolina. Thank you for hours of reading happiness, ma'am. As long as you are remembered, you will never truly be gone.

Lisa Brown

July 7, 2024

Most of My memories of Aunt Maggie are life long... I remember her sitting outside Grandma's house When I was about 8 , spinning a story about fairy moss and making little people out of twigs. She Also told me I had skinny ankles, which made me cry, till she explained that's a good thing Lisa! No matter what your legs will look thin! I was 10!
She and Uncle Joe and John let me come back to NC to live with them when things were rough in FL and as much as I wanted it , I couldn't make it work... I hurt her and I'm sorry.
She was loved by Daddy, her older brother, myself, our entire family and the many who loved her amazing way with words..
LOVE you Aunt Maggie

Lyn McConchie

March 11, 2024

I remember the time, many years ago that I read one of her books for the first time. It blew me away and now I have all of them. I've read and reread them, I plan to do so once more and then they will be gifted to a friend in Canada who is two decades younger and has never read them. I hope they do for her all they have done for me.

Lyn McConchie (77)

August 17, 2023

I began buying her Judge Knott books in the nineties and continued until I had them all. I'm just rereading them for the fifth time and enjoying them yet again. I wish she'd lived longer and written more, but they'll do me even so. She was a great writer. May she sleep peacefully and be remembered.

Cathy Lovato

May 29, 2023

Mrs. Maron spoke at the Cumberland County Library several years ago, which my friend Sheila insisted I attend with her. Mrs. Maron was very witty and entertaining, and I immediately checked out Bootlegger's Daughter. Since then, I have eagerly waited for each one, and only today discovered why there have not been any new ones.
You family and friends have my deepest sympathy. Please know that your grief is also felt also by many like me who loved her through her words.

Alice Chavez

February 21, 2023

An awesome lady that inspired so many authors with her outstanding books of mystery and memorable experiences. God bless you!

Nancy Pickard

February 20, 2023

I think of you often, Margaret. "Oh, Margaret would love this," or with a laugh--"Margaret wouldn't care for this!" You and Joe were bright lights in a lot of lives, including mine, and it turns out that you're still a strong presence in the world. Unforgettable, funny, lively, smart and generous friends, both of you.

Ann Jackson

July 28, 2022

I have enjoyed reading Margaret Maron books from the time they were first published. And am, selfishly, very sorry to learn I can no longer look forward to a next. That I hadn't seen one was why I checked in today.
I intend to re-read the Sigrid Harald series first, a poignant reminder of my long "friendship" with Margaret Maron.
I convey my sincerest thanks to her family for sharing.

Kathy Hooker

July 3, 2022

When I find a 'new' author I test read one or two books and then I am all in and go to every length I can to read every book the author wrote. In 2019 I 'found' Margaret Maron and started reading the Deborah Knott series and then the Sigrid series. I now have all the hard covered books in my collection at home. I was very sad to hear that Mrs. Maron passed away, I was online to send an email note to say how much I enjoyed her wonderful books when I saw she was gone. I wish strength and my heartfelt condolences to the family. A truly talented and inspiring lady.

Ann Grant

July 27, 2021

I have just read my first Deborah Knott novel, "Southern Discomfort" and am so glad I have so many more to read! Condolences to the family, and please know that Margaret´s writing will continue to give much pleasure to many future readers.

J Anderson

May 24, 2021

I loved her books! After I read a few, I emailed her and let her know how accurately she depicted a district court judge and the court process. I told her I was a district court judge in Alabama and had shared her series with other Alabama judges. Much to my surprise, she responded and her kindness is a fond memory. May she Rest In Peace.

Mona M Smith (fan)

Planted Trees

Peggy Casey

March 15, 2021

I am so very sad to hear of Margaret Maron's passing. I am from NC, also born in Greensboro, and when I had to bring my Mom to GA to live with us after our Dad died, I discovered the Deborah Knott series. Mother loved reading her books set in NC and I always got her the new one in hard back. She spent many happy hours with Deborah Knott and so did I. I still have all the books. I hope the family can mourn and then celebrate a wonderful life lived.

Hellen H Hoffman

March 13, 2021

I loved her writing. I discovered her Deborah Knott series, went back and read them all, eagerly awaiting each new publication. I, too, was a daughter of the "boot-legging" mountain drivers so I could so relate to her tales! I could relate to the setting of her Knott series as I grew up in an area in VA just like that and visited NC many times to see other relatives. I am so sorry for the loss of this great person to her family, many friends and fans. I wondered why I had not seen anything new in many years and mourn the loss of no new fresh adventures from her pen. Rest in Peace.

JEAN COLE

March 4, 2021

I stumbled upon her Deborah Knott series and was hooked instantly. I will seek out all her others and spread the word. I had intended on sending her a piece of communication when I finished my most recent read, and tonight I found out that I am too late. But to her family, she will be missed by many, and I send my prayers to your family.

Diane Geary

March 2, 2021

Margart came into my life in the early 90's when she came to the New Hanover County courthouse asking to speak to a judge, stating that she was beginning a mystery series about a young female judge candidate named Debra knott. She spoke to one of the judges and new friendships formed. Such a lovely soul Margaret had. She will be missed.

John W Kelsch Sr

March 2, 2021

John and family,
Florence Catherine Kelsch, your cousin, though, passed, cared greatly for you and your mother. We her sons, John, Paul, Joe and Chris offer our condolences. God Bless

Alice Chavez

March 2, 2021

She was an awesome lady in the world of words and books! She will be missed greatly in NC!! RIP!

Cyndi Robinson

March 2, 2021

One of my favorite authors - she could weave a story so well and leave you wanting more. So happy to have made her acquaintance while she gave a guest lecture at Peace College some 25 years ago. Deepest condolences to her family and close friends.

Shelby Battle

March 1, 2021

She didn't know me but I feel as if I have lost a very dear friend. When I read Bootleggers Daughter, I thought it was about my family.

Louise Wahl

March 1, 2021

She was a wonderful writer. I have read all her books, and my favorite is the Debra Knott series with all the NC settings (I am 73, NC born and raised), and I have the complete set in my library so I can read them over again. Through her books, I felt as if I knew the lady. I was so saddened to learn of her passing. May she RIP and may God bless her family during this difficult time.

Robert DeWitt

March 1, 2021

I feel like I have been friends with the characters in her books. She brought them to life for me. Such a gift. May she rest in piece!

Nancy Edwards

February 26, 2021

As a native of Wake County and growing up in the 60's, I identified with many of the areas in Margaret's books. She really could weave a story. I know you will miss her but we who enjoyed her books have also lost a friend. God bless you and your family.

Betsy

February 26, 2021

As many others have, I have read and loved all her books! So proud that she lived and wrote about NC! She will be missed!

Wayne and Sharon Mills

February 26, 2021

John, we just heard about your mom passing and wanted to sincerely offer our deepest condolences. I read the write-up from Quail Ridge Books, and was just amazed at her prolific success as an author. I had no idea! I also happen to know another author, Diane Chamberlain, and just found out that your mom was one of Diane's best friends. Small world. Anyways, again, deepest condolences for your loss.

Jane Dentinger

February 26, 2021

Margaret Maron was a giant in her field, an Edgar-winning author and the most fun to sit next to at any mystery-writers gathering. Some years ago, I had the great privilege of interviewing Margaret at Malice Domestic, where she imparted the best tip ever for writer's block. She said: "When you get stuck, step away from your typewriter, computer, whatever. Go get a deck of cards and play a game of Solitaire. It'll clear your mind." She was right--works every time. I will miss her wisdom and her warm wit.

Jan Patzold

February 25, 2021

I was a longtime fan and reader of her work. Margaret Maron was a lovely author who always brought me to a world different from mine. She will be missed.