Margaret Rose Hefner Wagner

Margaret Rose Hefner Wagner, 55, died at her residence after courageously fighting cancer for over seven years. Marge was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, July 3, 1953 to Rev. V. Richard Hefner and Dorothy Gockenbach Hefner.
Marge is survived by her parents; loving and devoted husband, Bill; sons, Matthew, Evan, Jordan; and daughter, Michal; daughters-in-law, Melissa and Jenny. Marge was also blessed to have reached her goal of enjoying her first grandson, Tristan Jacob. In addition, she is survived by her brother, John Hefner; sisters, Silvia Finelli, Verla Ubert and Betsy Adams, their spouses; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Marge grew up in Maryland, where she graduated from Howard County High School and then attended Capital University. She married Bill and helped him run the family funeral business on Long Island. She and Bill raised four children and when they were all in school, she herself went back to school and graduated from Touro College in Huntington, NY, with a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy. She worked at Brunswick Hospital in Amityville, NY for several years before moving to Governors Club in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Marge worked as an Occupational Therapist in Apex and then left the field to take a position as resident case manager at Learning Service, Inc. in Durham, where she worked with people with acquired brain injuries. Even after cancer diagnosis & treatments, Marge continued to serve her clients with zeal and got great enjoyment while doing so. Her "guys" were the inspiration that kept her going many times when wearied by her treatments. The last year and a half, Marge stayed home, baking cookies for Ronald McDonald House, exploring life and making the most of the time she and Bill shared. She continued to reach out to others and served as an inspiration to many. Her unconditional love for others is the basis for her legacy and for making the world a better place.
A Celebration of Marge's Life will be held on Wednesday evening from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home (7209 Glenwood Avenue) in Raleigh. Marge will be laid to rest in East Mercer Cemetery in Maine on Friday, August 29, 2008.
Contributions may be made to your favorite charity to make a difference.