Margaret Baldwin

Margaret was born May 3, 1943, in Shattuck, Oklahoma, the daughter of Wilson P. Baldwin and Frances Ross Baldwin.

She graduated as Salutatorian at Arnett High School (Oklahoma) in 1961. In Margaret's address to the graduating seniors at Arnett High School, she said:

"To many persons, the conflicts in the world today are foreboding, and they are afraid to face the future. We seniors realize the problems of today yet face the future with the courage of our convictions that we can, and we will work and live for a better nation and world.

As we graduate from high school and take our next step into the future, we will need your encouragement and your prayers. We go forth eager and unafraid confident of our own abilities, strengthened by your trust, and secure in our faith in God and America.

'Our future lies within ourselves,' and we will gladly accept responsibility."

She continued her education at Oklahoma State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society.

Upon graduation, Margaret was recruited by Denver Public Schools and started teaching third grade at Whittier Elementary School on September 1, 1965.

While teaching, Margaret earned her Master of Arts degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 1972. She then found her passion and dedication in the area of Special Education. Margaret completed her career in the district office managing federal funds for Special Education in the district.

A life-long reader, Margaret enjoyed gardening, dinner parties, and playing bridge. She also enjoyed needlepoint and macrame. She belonged to Phi Delta Kappa and Denver Teachers Club.

Margaret retired in 1998 after 33 years of caring and dedicated service to Denver Public Schools and its Special Education students.

In retirement, Maggie and longtime friend Pat spent winters in Arizona where she enjoyed the warm weather, crafting pottery, Tai Chi, swimming, and miniature golf. With friends and family, they traveled extensively including Italy, Spain, Nova Scotia, the New England Coast, and Alaska. As her life progressed, spending time with family and friends became her focus. Maggie loved to visit with and cook for them.

Remaining to cherish Margaret's memory are Priscilla (Pat) Gifford; sisters, Anita Grice, Janet Spradling, and her husband Steven Spradling; nieces and nephews, Rhonda Steenberg and her husband Deron Steenberg, Shelley Peterson and her husband Lance Peterson, Joshua Spradling, and Jarrod Spradling; and three great-nephews, Nicholas Gauna, Jacob Gauna, and Aven Spradling.

Memorial donations in Margaret's memory may be directed to Special Olympics, Denver Public School Scholarship Foundation, Denver Teachers Club or Dumb Friends League.