Margaret L. (Graham) Saylor passed away unexpectedly at her home in East Lansing, Michigan on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Maggie was born to George W. Graham Jr. and Marian Louise Rogers on March 9, 1945 in Alma, Michigan. At a young age, Maggie went to live with Lloyd and Helen Hill who were known as her mom and dad and raised her to become the wonderful woman she was. She graduated from Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw, Michigan with the class of 1963. She never liked being called Margaret and made it clear her name was “Maggie”. Maggie later received her beautician license and when her children were older she attended Ross Medical Education Center where she received a certificate for Medical Administrative Assistant.
Maggie worked as a receptionist for Greater Lansing Rehab and left there to work with Carl Weaver when he opened C. Weaver Physical Therapy in 1994 where she was the Office Manager for 24 years before her retirement in 2018. Carl said Maggie was an integral part of starting the clinic and her hard work and dedication was a major part of their growth and success.
Maggie loved everyone she met and no one was a stranger to her. She was one of the kindest, caring, helpful and generous people you would ever meet. She was a foster parent as well as a host for an exchange student from Brazil. You could do no wrong in her eyes, she always found the good in everyone and every situation. Maggie loved all animals including “Benny” the woodchuck or hedgehog as she called him, who returned every year to her backyard. She loved to watch the wildlife in her yard including deer, rabbits, woodchucks, birds and anything else that would show up. Maggie had many furry companions throughout her life, quite a few of them were rescues from the Humane Society. Her longest living companions were Simba and Nala (brother and sister pug/terrier mix) who she treated like her babies and both passed away peacefully at home in her arms. Champ the yellow lab joined the three of them and was spoiled rotten as they all were. After Champ passed she rescued Miley from the Ingham County Humane Society who was by her side to comfort Maggie when she took her last breath. Maggie chaperoned a trip to Florida with the exchange students and had the time of her life and came back with some great stories and memories. Maggie enjoyed having people over to swim in her pool during the summers. She was the life of the party and always good for a laugh or many. Maggie had a great sense of humor and always had a way of making people laugh. She did not have a good sense of direction when traveling which may have led the family astray a time or two but she loved those adventures which became lifelong stories to share. Maggie also enjoyed writing short stories and always dreamed of publishing children's books which began with the story of “Grandpa Oak”.
Maggie loved music, especially Elvis and Jimmy Buffet. She loved to sing and play the piano and it made her heart happy to see her grandchildren and great grandchildren play the piano when they were there visiting. Maggie also had a green thumb, she had many beautiful plants in her home and could grow anything or bring them back to life if given to her in rough condition.
Maggie most of all loved her family with her whole heart unconditionally. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were her pride and joy. She attended as many school events as she could for both her children and grandchildren. She was their biggest fan and cheerleader. When Maggie bought her home in East Lansing she dedicated one wall in her dining room to her grandchildren for them to decorate. Each one of them painted their own picture to add to the mural, she was so proud of that wall and cherished it every day. Maggie is survived by her children Michael (Sarah) Saylor of Ovid, MI; Douglas (Deb) Saylor of Dewitt, MI; Susan (Jerry) Fouts of Bancroft, MI and Jennifer (Mark) Alverson of Denver, CO. Nine grandchildren Dani Viglianco, Jamie (Keith) Perry, Tony Viglianco, Denny Saylor, Keith Saylor, Hannah Alverson, Chloe Alverson, Nova Saylor and Lily Saylor. Two great grandchildren Levi Perry and Macelynne Viglianco. Two sisters Lois Emery and Inez Keidel; a brother Bill (Chris) Chant. Maggie is also survived by her fur baby Miley who will be well loved and taken care of. She was predeceased by her parents, three brothers Clare Camburn, Merlin McNaughton, Roger Chant and one sister Marilyn Whitford. She was also predeceased by MANY furry companions.
Per Maggie’s wishes, cremation will take place. Her request is that we all tell stories and laugh because that is what she wants.
A Celebration of Maggie's Life will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2022 beginning at 3:00 pm at the Corunna VFW 416 S. Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817.
Memorials may be made to the family for her final expenses or to the Humane Society of your choice in her memory. A GoFundMe has also been set up to help cover the cost of Maggie’s final expenses. https://gofundme.com/f/yk8axv-in-memory-of-maggie-saylor
The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes DeWitt Chapel. To leave a cherished memory or words of sympathy for Maggie's family please visit www.grdewitt.com.
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