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Margaret Radcliffe

Margaret Radcliffe, longtime teacher at Old Saybrook High School, died on Oct. 17, after a long illness. “Miss Rad,” as she was affectionately known by her students, taught social studies from 1964 to 1993 and was the assistant field hockey coach, helping to lead the team to championship in several seasons. Her classes were marked by her love of history and her delight in her students, but mostly by her legendary sense of humor. During her years at Old Saybrook High School, she was as beloved by her colleagues as by her students.

She was a keen supporter of the Old Saybrook Educators Association (OSEA) of which she was a past president. For many years, she could be seen serving turkey and all the trimmings at the annual Scholarship Dinner in November, raising funds for the OSEA Scholarship. She also helped to train students in debate at the annual Mock Trial, sponsored the Animal Rights Club, and served on the Graduation Committee. She will also be remembered for the many retirement “roasts” she delivered over the years, where her imagination and creativity soared to the delight of her audience.

Margaret was born just minutes before the 4th of July in 1937, in Davenport, Iowa, the third daughter of four of Frank and Hazel Radcliffe. She graduated from Moline High School in Illinois, and then from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, where she was voted “Miss Friendship.” There, she also developed a lifelong love of history and travel. One of her most memorable times is when Queen Elizabeth specifically waved to her and her sister. She studied in Sweden, where she learned about the history and the culture of the Nordic countries. She also studied French in Paris and traveled throughout Europe many times.

After graduation, she began her career teaching history in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Soon, however, she continued to move east to be where, as she said, the history of the United States evolved. She moved to Connecticut, to teach at Old Saybrook High School in 1964. Throughout her life, Margaret was committed to animal rights. She volunteered at the Valley Shore Animal Welfare League, and frequently took home stray dogs and cats. Each one of her “adoptees” had its own unique characteristics, which she sometimes featured in one of her videotapes with her own narration.

In addition to her close connection to her three sisters, she was the loving aunt to six nieces and nephews, and she never hesitated to jump in her car and drive cross-country to visit her family who had spread beyond the Midwest, to Montana and California.

Margaret is survived by her sister Dorothy Sease of Boulder, Colorado; nieces, Sue Peterson of Glendive, Montana, and Sandra Nichols of Escondido, California; and by nephews, Leith Wimmer of Montana City, Montana, Charles Wimmer of Havre, Montana, John Molgaard of Omaha, Nebraska, and Peter Molgaard of Anita, Iowa; and by their spouses and families. Preceding Margaret in death are her parents and two sisters, Anne Wimmer and Karen Molgaard.

The family is grateful for the kindness and support of her companion, Agnes Ogaja, and especially for the continued love and support of Mary Jane Butler, whose friendship spanned 50 years and whose family was Margaret’s “Connecticut family.”

Calling hours were held Oct. 29, at Swan Funeral Home in Old Saybrook. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be given in Margaret’s name to the Old Saybrook Education Association Scholarship (c/o Amber Scherber, 1111 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475. Please write Margaret Radcliffe on the memo line) or to the Valley Shore Animal Welfare League (www.valleyshoreanimalwelfareleague.org) or to a charity of your choice.