Margaret Van De Graaf

Our beloved mom, grandma, great-grandma, aunt and friend, Margaret Hubbard Van De Graaf, passed away on June 16, 2023 at the age of 92. Two weeks after her passing, her husband of 68 years, Bill Van De Graaf, joined her in Heaven. They were true soulmates.

Margaret will be lovingly remembered by her 3 children, William (Stacey), Dirk (Kandi), Lisa (Jeff) Cook; 10 grandchildren, Ricky (Eugenia), Jordan Cook, Gerrit (Brittany), Roxanna, Glenda, Kayden (Stephen) Dazzo, Will (Elizabeth) Cook, Kambry Cook, Chloe, Harper; 2 greatgrandchildren, Margaret, Reese; and numerous other family members and friends.

Margaret was predeceased by her parents Dr. Roscoe Conkling and Pearl Hubbard; her 8 oldersiblings, Eugene Hubbard, Mary Hubbard, Ann Marsh, Ruth Bowness, William Hubbard, Elizabeth Grindstaff, Lela Futch, Caroline Woodring; niece Judy Studley and nephews Warren Maddox and James Futch.

Born April 15, 1931, with her identical twin in Tampa, and raised in Bushnell, Florida, Margaret and Caroline did everything together. Their competitive natures led them to earn covaledictorian honors in high school and to being awarded identical roles in a dental hygiene fluoride study in NYC during the early 1950s. One fateful afternoon, the twins were strolling down Cocoa Beach when Margaret met Bill Van De Graaf, an Airforce Airman stationed at Patrick Air Force Base. Soulmates were united. On December 18, 1954, Bill and Margaret were married and soon after moved to Michigan where they spent the next 27 years and raised their three children.

Being a mom was Margaret’s joy and focus, yet with dedication she found a way to simultaneously earn an undergraduate and Master’s Degree in Education from Oakland University while raising her family. After teaching math and science for almost 20 years, Margaret retired and began her favorite career of being an inspiring, spunky, hilarious, and loving grandma. All her 10 grandkids have funny “Grandma Margaret” stories that tie them together for life. Fortunately, before her passing, Margaret was able to meet her two newly born great-grandchildren.

Margaret was described as spirited, loquacious and a stranger to NO ONE! She was famous for her friendliness at the local drugstore (CVS on Far West), post office and Chico’s, where she acquired her fashionista trademark look. Hallmark likely remains in business to this day, because everyone Margaret loved regularly received amusing cards in her beautiful calligraphy.

Years of membership with the ADK teacher’s sorority kept Margaret involved in the community. She served as President of the Texas Fidelis Kappa Chapter of Austin in the 1990s. Never one tobe idle, she also became a consummate consumer of medical journals and books and diagnosed (possibly cured) ailments in both herself, and any person willing to listen.

Margaret is in Heaven with her husband and her entire childhood family. Known for playing “Taps” on their coronets at military funerals during their teens, Margaret and Caroline can now play together again eternally.

A private Celebration of Life for both Bill and Margaret will be held in September at their home in Austin for the past 35 years. Memorial donations in Margaret’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to all the staff at the Belmont in Westlake, private caregivers Maria, Crystal and Keybe, and the people at Magnolia Hospice. Your loving care, kindness and friendship will always be remembered.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishnorth.com for the Van De Graaf family.