Margaret Grace Richardson

December 6, 1943 – November 30, 2023

Margaret Grace Richardson was born on December 6, 1943 to James and Phyllis "Molly" (Heath) Cowling in Totnes, an ancient town at the head of the River Dart, in Devon County, UK. She died at home overlooking Yellow Creek on November 30, 2023, in Freeport, Illinois, USA after a brief and unexpected illness. The loss comes as a tremendous shock to all who knew her. Margaret was a beloved, vital member of her small family and a vibrant presence in her large community of friends.

Growing up, Margaret lived in a tiny house on Follaton Road on the outskirts of Totnes. She spent countless hours in imaginary retreat, searching for fairies in the surrounding fields and forest. She was delighted to participate in community drama classes at nearby Dartington Hall, later a famous College of Arts. She cherished summers along the coast at Wembury with her cousins, playing in tidepools and wandering the shore in search of ocean treasures. Margaret loved donning costumes for the annual Totnes Pageant, Carnival, and Floral Dances. She wanted more than anything to become a ballet dancer but was never given the opportunity to take lessons and pursue that dream. Margaret was a teenager when her father died and she was forced to leave school and work at the local bacon factory to help support the household.

Her world expanded when she left Totnes at age 20 to work as an au pair in Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory on Spain's southern coast. She lived in London during the 'Swinging Sixties' before immigrating to the US on August 31, 1965. A position as a nanny on Long Island, NY provided her entrée to the States, however, it wasn't long before Margaret packed her bags and headed to Manhattan to look for a new job. Clever, poised, beautiful, and British, she landed a position as 'London Look Girl' with Yardley Cosmetics. In this role, Margaret traveled solo all over the U.S. educating young people about beauty and fashion. Her confidence and savvy grew as she enjoyed visiting locations across the country.

Margaret married Jeff Richardson on November 25, 1967, in Mansfield, Ohio, after meeting in NYC the year prior. She and her "knight in shining armor" lived in Brooklyn, NY in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood and had two children, Angie and Alex, before moving to the Midwest in 1975. Margaret was a devoted wife and mother who loved her family deeply. Forever championing her children, she made sure they had every opportunity to learn and grow. She raised her children to be generous, to think freely, to be brave, to exercise creativity, to stand up for themselves and others, to be kind and fair, to see the beauty all around them, and most importantly, to love with abandon. She adored her cat Velvet and dog Tara. They lived long, healthy lives under Margaret's care and returned her affections a hundred-fold.

When Margaret became an official citizen of the U.S. in 1977, her family went with her to the Stephenson County Courthouse to see her sworn in. Receiving citizenship was a long-time dream fulfilled. She took her right to vote seriously and never missed an election.

It was important to Margaret that things be done well and "properly." She created a lovely home and kept an elaborate garden. She took great pride in her professional life as well, working in administrative roles at Sears Roebuck and State Bank for many years. Later she became the "guru of pensions" for Newell Rubbermaid and took care to ensure that people received all the support and benefits they were due. She retired in 2008 and thoroughly enjoyed the next fifteen years of independence and freedom.

Margaret also excelled as an athlete. She swam and played tennis until just weeks before her death at age 79. She was Freeport's City Tennis Tourney champ three years running in the early '90's. It was through tennis that she found and kept many dear friendships. A passion she shared with husband Jeff, tennis led the couple on many great travel adventures to study, play, and spectate. One highlight was getting to toss the coin at the start of a Western & Southern Open tournament match in 2013. There on center court she was thrilled to meet her all-time favorite player, Roger Federer!

An avid reader and ever-curious, Margaret attended college later in life. She especially enjoyed classes in art and psychology. Sharp-witted—and occasionally sharp-tongued—she knew how to make people laugh, was never afraid to question authority, and would not hesitate to tell you when you had a bad haircut or were wearing a terrible outfit.

Margaret was an extraordinary beauty with brilliant, blue eyes framed by chestnut hair in her youth and snow-white locks in her old age. She charmed us all with her fanciful perspective, playful nature, good humor, and beguiling smile. Margaret's rich imagination and wonderfully-developed sense of the fantastic carried her well through life. She was often the brightest light in the room. Without her, our days will certainly be darker. May the many sweet memories we have of her provide steadfast illumination in her absence.

Margaret is survived by her husband of 56 years, Jeff Richardson of Freeport, IL; her daughter Angela (Paul) Richardson, son Alexander (Colette) Richardson, and grandchild Paisley Koch, all of Madison, WI; her elder sister Christina Clark of Totnes, UK; her sister-in-law Karin (Ken) Starbuck of Mansfield, OH; and her niece Kim (Kevin) Taylor of Lubbock, TX.

As per her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded with Walker Mortuary, Freeport, IL, and there will be no services. The Richardsons extend gratitude to FHN Hospice. In Margaret's memory, please consider donating to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. A celebration of her life will be held sometime next spring when the flowers bloom again.