Margaret Ann Walsh passed peacefully in her sleep on December 11, 2020 reuniting with many of her family she loved and missed. Born at home during the depression on December 11, 1931 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Edith and John VanderMolen, Margaret always said she had an ideal childhood with two parents and siblings she loved dearly.
She graduated from Creston High receiving the “Creston Cup,” an award given to three students out of the class of 175 for outstanding leadership. She went on to study nursing at Butterworth Hospital and in 1955 decided to go west to Arizona with a group of her classmates.
She worked as an operating room nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital before meeting her future husband, Pete Walsh, a second-generation Arizona native. Together they had five children and enjoyed life moving to the outskirts of Phoenix in the Arcadia neighborhood in 1961.
When the kids were growing up Margaret went back to school and earned her master’s degree in counseling and got very involved in social work. She and her close friend, JoAnn Phalen, launched a new program called Center for New Directions which served widows and divorced women teaching them how to build life skills. The program became a model for other programs around the country. She served there for over 15 years.
Margaret also taught at Glendale Community College for many years and served in a variety of roles in the mental health community in Arizona. She was deeply involved in Park Central Toastmasters and was the president of her Homeowner’s Association. She loved being involved and leading worthy causes.
A lifelong learner, she embraced the personal computer even before her children and was actively engaged on it most of her senior years. She enjoyed Facetime calls on her iPad right up until the end. She got into biking, loved her bridge groups and one of her highlights was when she insisted that she attend a Grateful Dead concert with her boys and fully immersed herself in the experience.
She loved her family and grandchildren and spent endless hours at softball games, music recitals, graduations, etc. She is preceded in death by her brother, John VanderMolen (Janet), from Florida and two of her children, Joseph Walsh and William Walsh, and her grandson, Michael Whitis. She is survived by her sister, Kay Hislop, sons Richard Walsh (Janet) and Peter Walsh (Karen) and daughter Anastatia Whitis along with her grandchildren William and Laura Walsh (Jessica), Emma Long, Sarah and Jessica Whitis.
She had a long and great life with many significant accomplishments along with difficult tragedies but always kept a great attitude and taught us all how to live life to the fullest with resilience and a positive attitude. She will be deeply missed by all of us and we find peace knowing she’s in a better place and rejoined with so many that she loved.
Donations on behalf of Margaret could be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness Arizona at: http://www.namiarizona.org/
Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.
Audrey Hislop
Dear cousins,
We are so very sorry for the loss of your mom. You must miss her so much already. She was so kind, so accepting, so fun loving and just overflowed with life. We will miss her very much too.
Much love, hugs and sincerest sympathy,
Ed and Audrey
Cathy and Greg Nugent
Loved getting to know this sweet, caring woman in the short time spent together. She was so proud to spend time at your house caring for Bosco. (And she was proud of you too). Her life was getting harder and harder, so she knew it was time. May she rest now knowing she did a great job while on earth. It was so interesting to read her obit. Nothing slowed her down! Love and our sympathies. Nugents
Kent andLinda Sue Jensen
Margaret was a one of a kind person; I so enjoyed being around her. I was glad to read that she passed peacefully in her sleep. God be with you in this time.
I worked with Margaret for a number of years at H&R Block. We got together after that when we lived up in the valley. We did some bike riding together also.
God Bless!
Kim Koldoff Kasper
Dickey, Pete and Statia – I loved your mom. Our families were intertwined for generations before we were born. It was a great tribe. Margaret was fun and kind and so wise. I know Patsy was waiting at the gates of heaven with a cocktail. I’m so sorry for your loss. She will be missed.
Kim
Rene Bearce
Your Mother sounded like an incredible woman who led an awesome life. My condolences to your family.
Darrell Downs
So very sorry times in to hear this Statia, and Pete. I believe she lived in my neighborhood on 5th avenue and Osborn? She rode her bike many past my apt. may she rest in peace…….
Carolyn Warbelton
Statia and family, It sounds like your mom was very active and kept up on all the latest from computers to rock bands. What a blessing your mom was to many. She will be missed. Take care.
Love, Carolyn
wayne hochstrasser
I was the CEO of Triple R Behavioral Health before retiring 10 years ago. In that role I frequently encountered Margaret in meetings, events, etc and was always impressed with her dedication, insight, and engaging personality. She was a true advocate for mental health in Arizona. i am impressed even more by the various roles she fulfilled in her life as pointed out in the obituary. I am sadden to learn of her death and wish all her family members my sympathy and condolences.
Kelli Koldoff Mineo
Dear Dickey, Pete (Peach) and Statia, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was so kind , funny and always had a laugh in her. When my mom (Patsy) passed away, Margaret was with us. Now they are in heaven together, probably with wine!