Margaret Theodorides left this earth quietly and gently while at home on August 17. This quiet exit was in direct contrast with the exuberant manner in which she lived her life. Margaret joined the family of Georgia Emma Mitchell and her husband Arthur Everett “Boots” Wright on March 21, 1925. She loved and appreciated the beauty of the majestic mountains of the West Virginia hills where she was born, but this is not where she was meant to stay. Margaret decided early on that education would be her ticket to the rest of the world.
Armed with her diploma from Big Creek High School, as well as the encouragement of two very special high school teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Lawson, Margaret went off to further her studies at Marshall College (now Marshall University).
At this time, World War II was raging in the Pacific. One young fellow (who had been sweet on Margaret back home) had been aboard the USS San Francisco when it was destroyed at Pearl Harbor. The ship to which he was immediately transferred was the USS Columbia – which was then disabled. While the Columbia was being repaired, the crew was given leave. Ted Theodorides contacted Margaret and asked if he could visit her at school. She consented – provided that he wouldn’t ask her to marry him.
Of course, Ted proposed marriage before both of his feet were off the train. They proceeded to brave a horrific rainstorm together, crossing bridges over swollen rivers in order to find a justice of the peace who would marry them. Then it was quickly back to the Pacific for Ted.
The war finally came to an end and so did Margaret’s formal studies… for a while. Once Ted decided to make the Navy his career, Margaret found a whole new field of study as a Navy wife: moving! Ted was stationed in many different locations, at one point in Chincoteague and as far away as Guam, Marianas Islands. Finally, Margaret was able to make her own decision to settle in Salisbury in 1997. Once their two daughters, Ann and Myra, were in school full-time, Margaret decided to return to school. It took her twenty-seven years to earn her college degree from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University). Once Ann and Myra were grown and Ted had retired, Margaret continued to attend college, earning three Master’s degrees while working full-time.
Margaret began her career as an elementary school teacher. By the time she retired, she had added the following to her resume: special reading teacher, township reading coordinator and four-time acting principal. She also worked in partnership with Glassboro State Teachers’ College student teaching program. No one loved school more than she did!
Her family legacy includes her daughters Margaret Ann (James) Masingill and Myra Jo (Larry) Forchione. Her grandchildren: Margaret Valere (Patrick Dickson) Masingill; Daniel (Danielle McNair) Buhrow; Alexis (Allison Kargas) Masingill and Athena (Robert Tashiro) Buhrow. Sisters: E. Betty Webster and Dorothy N. Miller both of Salisbury and Thetis Langlet. Brothers: Haven “Buck” Wright and Harry Everett Wright. A large, loving extended family and many dear friends join hands to form the circle of people who loved and admired her.
She was predeceased by her parents Georgia Emma and “Boots” Wright. Also waiting to welcome her to the great family reunion in the sky are her husband Ted; their son Paul Jeffrey; her sisters June Wright Blackburn, Joyce Lorraine and Sally Frances Wright; her brothers Thomas Jackson Mitchell and Bobby Gene and John Henry Wright.
Margaret was and will always be beloved for her constant sunny outlook and her smile that was compared to a ray of sunshine.
A funeral service will be held on Sunday, September 1, 2013 at 3:00 pm at the Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury with a visitation one hour prior. Interment will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, PA, 501 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD 21804. Please visit www.hollowayfh.com to express condolences to the family.
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