Margaret Josephson, 91, of Monmouth, IL, passed away at 7:12 pm, November 2, 2022 (which would have been her mother’s 130th birthday), in Fort Collins, CO.
She was born on September 5th, 1931, at Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin, IL and was the daughter of Henry Ora (“H. O.”) and Florence (Shaw) Jacoby. Margaret was raised and educated in southern Illinois and graduated from Pinckneyville Community High School in 1949.
After high school, Margaret attended Monmouth College, where she was a member of the sorority Alpha Xi Delta. She graduated from Monmouth College in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in science and was initiated into Tri-Beta, a national biology honor society.
Margaret married Don Robert Josephson on June 11, 1955, at Cutler United Presbyterian Church in Cutler, IL.
Margaret was a schoolteacher for several years while her husband was in the U.S. Army and going through dental school. She taught at Palmer in Springfield, IL; Belmont in Hopkinsville, KY; Ava in the Trico district in southern Illinois; and Gregory in Chicago, IL. Margaret was the first teacher/director of MELC (Monmouth Early Learning Center) in 1970. Margaret also spent years teaching music, Sunday school and Bible programs of the Faith United Presbyterian church where she was both a member and an elder of the congregation.
In her spare time, Margaret was a member of Crimson Clan and served on the Monmouth College Alumni Board. She was a member and the past president of Chapter E PEO, OGM, AKQ, DCX and AXD groups, and a member of several bridge clubs. She greatly enjoyed her family, travel, and her many friends.
Survivors of Margaret’s family include her three sons: Jeff (Gloria) Josephson of Marshfield, WI; Gregg (Joyce) Josephson of Tigard, OR; and Doug (Renee) Josephson of Fort Collins, CO; her grandchildren: Dr. Michael (Dr. Alyssa) Josephson, Dr. Laura Josephson, Dr. Brian Josephson, Rachel Josephson, Haley Josephson and Henry Josephson; nephews Dr. David (Sue) Jacoby and Eric (Brenda) Josephson; nieces Joyce Cobb and Cindy Josephson and niece-in-law Anita Jacoby. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dr. Don R. Josephson, her brother, Robert E. Jacoby, brother-in-law Dr. Charles M. Josephson, sisters-in-law Melba (Scherle) Jacoby and Mary (Castle) Josephson, and nephew Dr. Robert Jacoby.
Memorial services will be 11:00 am, Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Faith United Presbyterian Church in Monmouth, IL. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm, Friday, December 2, 2022 at McGuire and Davies Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorials may be made out to the Don and Margaret Josephson Memorial Prize at Monmouth College, 700 E. Broadway, Monmouth, IL, 61462. For more information, or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com.
