 It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news that Maggie Irving, our indefatigable, resourceful and devoted Event Coordinator, passed away on February 3 at St. Francis Hospital after a brief but valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on August 6, 1945, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Maggie resided in Windsor with her loving husband of 25 years, Thomas S. Irving. She is also survived by her son, Rick Thomas and his wife Mary, of Topeka, Kansas; her son Ed Thomas and his wife Patricia, of Bath, Michigan; grandchildren Nicholas and Kelsi Thomas; and her sister June Dacus of Kansas City, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather, Alice and Jack Stuckman.
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As you can see from the video above, Maggie’s life was a multi-faceted adventure that included sailing, skiing, scuba diving, horseback riding, travel and weekly bridge games with friends. An avid gardener, Maggie created and lovingly tended a peaceful and welcoming garden sanctuary she and Tom enjoyed along with a multitude of neighborhood wildlife.
Maggie’s career included administrative support, customer service and sales positions in the federal government and in the commercial printing industry; and in 1997 she formed her own business selling commercial and residential window treatments.
In 2008, Maggie began a new chapter in her life when she enrolled in Class 9 of the Third Age Initiative, Leadership Greater Hartford’s (LGH) program for older adults. She participated on a team called “Wheels of Learning” that piloted a tutoring program for children residing at My Sister’s Place. The following year, Maggie joined the staff of Leadership Greater Hartford. She enjoyed putting her organizational skills, her ability to develop and nurture strong personal relationships and her creative talents to work. Always helpful, caring and committed, Maggie ensured that the experience of thousands of participants in LGH programs and events would be inclusive, welcoming and memorable. In 2012, when a team from Class 11 of the Third Age Initiative formed to work on supporting the reentry of formerly incarcerated people, Maggie joined the team as a volunteer to work on “Second Chances,” an issue near and dear to her heart.
Friends wishing to express their condolences may visit Tom at home at 934 Plymouth Street, Windsor, on Saturday, February 11 between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
LGH will host a memorial celebration of Maggie’s life on Tuesday, March 21, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at The 224 Ecospace, 224 Farmington Avenue, Hartford.
In lieu of flowers, Maggie’s family has established a memorial fund in her name to support the Third Age Initiative. Donations can be sent to Leadership Greater Hartford, 30 Laurel Street, Hartford, CT 06106 or made online at www.leadershipgh.org/donate.
Nancy Ball, a “Second Chances” teammate, echoes our feelings, “We were so fortunate that Maggie decided to join our team and become part of our lives. She held us together and I'm so sorry she had to leave so soon. She was truly committed to the LGH mission and especially the Third Age work. The memorial fund is a very fitting tribute. Farewell to our dear friend.”
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