Margaret E. Wise Simon Mitchell

1926 - 2020

Margaret E. Wise Simon Mitchell

November 1, 1926 - June 24, 2020

We lost a warm. gracious and joyful spirit last year and Saturday we will gather to celebrate her life. Margaret Adams Wise, Simon, Mitchell was born in Shelby, North Carolina, the youngest of 3 siblings, on Nov. 1, 1926. The family moved to Greensboro, NC where she graduated from High School and attended Greensboro Woman's College, now the University of N.C. at Greensboro. Margaret, her sister Carolyn and parents volunteered for many USO activities during WWII. It was there on the dance floor she met Robert Wise of St. Paul, MN A long- distance courtship ensued, and they were married after the war in June of 1946.

Upon completion of Bob's degree at Macalister College in St. Paul, the couple eventually moved to Lincoln to raise their family of 3, Susan, Sandra and Barbara. Margaret was a warm, fun and loving mother involved in all the girls' activities as well as her own many volunteer activities, and still finding time to squeeze in her very fun bridge group, golf, sewing and friends. When she won third place in a national Vogue Sewing Contest in 1959 and was pictured in Life Magazine modeling her ensemble, we understood why the sewing machine had been accompanying our meals those weeks.

Margaret started a second chapter of her life in l967 as a women's Clothing Buyer for Ben Simon and Sons of Lincoln. This soon led to organizing fashion shows, commentating at many shows and fundraising events over the years. Margaret greeted everyone with her warm, gracious smile and thoroughly enjoyed those she worked with. In 1979 she married Robert Simon of Lincoln. Together they shared an active life filled with family, friends, tennis, travel and work. Upon Robert's sudden passing in 1993. she continued in her position at the store until its closing in 2002. At 75, she retired from her 35 year career.

After spending time in another chilly Nebraska winter, she made the move the following summer to Palm Desert and started a third chapter in her life. Locating in a very active tennis community with many other activities she made new and lasting friends still keeping in touch with her NE friends who often visited in those chilly winter months. She always came back for one or two football games, a Big Red fan, she couldn't quite give those up. In the spring of 2010 Margaret met Gene Mitchell of Laguna Woods, again, on the dance floor of her clubhouse in Palm Desert. They married in Dec. of 2010 and shared families, friends and travel. Gene passed in 2014, and although a short time, they thoroughly enjoyed sharing their lives together.

Margaret lived in Laguna Woods until her passing June 24, 2020. Her positive energy, and independence helped her make the best out of any situation. When a granddaughter asked what is the secret to a happy life at her 90th birthday gathering, she replied "I guess I've just always been myself." Her laughter and love of life will be missed. A private family celebration of life will be held July 31, 2021 at First Plymouth Congregational Church.

Margaret is survived by her daughters Susan Hoover Miller, Sandra Lonnquist, and son-in-law Thomas and Barbara Tegt, step-daughter and husband Claudia and Kevin Michaels, step-son David Mitchell, step-son Robert Simon and wife Susan, Step-son Jim Simon and wife Lori Fujimoto, step-son Ken Simon, and step-daughter Susan Simon. Her grandchildren include Alethea and Brian Goodyear, Courtenay and Jaime Forward, Barrett and Julie Lonnquist, Carly and AJ Hammack, Dana and Tim Liley, and Hannah Tegt. Ten great-grandchildren complete the family. Memorials may be sent to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.