Margaret Mary Johnston Baltzer

Margaret Mary Johnston Baltzer died on Dec. 8, 2012, at Presbyterian Hospital-Main in Charlotte following a short illness. She was 80 years-old having devoted most of those years to the life she shared with her husband, Charles.

They loved their church, Myers Park United Methodist, going to the beach and the theater, grilling steaks, and admiring the azaleas and other flowers that she planted at their home. Most of all, they loved each other. Even though Alzheimer’s made it harder for them to communicate, it couldn’t keep them apart. Mrs. Baltzer lived the last 15 months in the Stewart Health Center at The Cypress of Charlotte. Each day, Mr. Baltzer would drive from the family home in Ballantyne to spend the afternoon with her. At 5:30 P.M., they’d go into the dining room for supper. They had a table for two, where they’d share a meal and what conversation they could. At the end, Mr. Baltzer says, this was the highlight of their lives together.

She was born on October 14, 1932, and raised on a farm in Westover, PA. She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she earned a degree in business, but a diploma wasn’t the best thing she took from college. The Baltzers met at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, introduced by a fraternity brother of his. Their first date was a drive in the country. Love bloomed. The college sweethearts were married on August 29, 1953. Eight years later, the Celanese Corp. transferred Mr. Baltzer to Charlotte, where he worked in accounting and they happily put down roots. Mrs. Baltzer spent 37 years as well with Celanese (later Hoechst/Celanese) before retiring in 1996 as an executive administrative assistant.

In addition to her husband Charles, Mrs. Baltzer is survived by her sister, LaVonne Young of Williamsport, PA; her nephew, Brad Young of Williamsport, PA; and her niece, Sandra Reese of Lock Haven, PA. Her parents, John Elden Johnston and Genevieve Sylvia Semelsberger Johnston, died a long time ago. It was Mrs. Baltzer’s mother who taught her how to cook, a skill that served her (and her husband!). Mr. Baltzer says his wife baked a mean apple pie, and made spaghetti sauce that was out of this world. “The all-day cooking kind,” he says, boasting just a bit.

Her family will greet friends on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, from 10-11a.m. at the McEwen-Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, in Charlotte. Mrs Baltzer’s service will begin at 11a.m. A reception will follow her service in the funeral home. Reverend Bill Roth will officiate. She will be laid to rest at East Ridge Cemetery in Westover, PA, near where she grew up. Instead of flowers, gifts in her honor can be made to Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207.

Mr. Baltzer expresses appreciation to the staff at The Cypress for treating his wife with such kindness. On their wedding anniversary, they tied balloons to Mrs. Baltzer’s wheelchair and gave them a bottle of champagne. He looks back with the deepest gratitude on his life with Mrs. Baltzer. While Alzheimer’s took so much away, it couldn’t take away the fact that he believes she recognized him until the end. He could tell from her body language, and the look in her eyes.