Margaret M. Myhaver

Scarborough -- Margaret Mary Myhaver, 59, died peacefully at Gosnell House in Scarborough on March 31, 2015 in the presence of much love. Margaret had a beautiful, generous, loving spirit that filled any room. She valiantly persevered the trials of an extremely challenging life.

She was born in Manchester NH on March 10, 1956 to Beverly and John Myhaver Sr. When Margaret was four years old, the family moved to Portland, ME., her home ever since. Margaret attended St Joseph’s Grammar School, Jack Jr. High School, and graduated from Portland High School as a member of the class of 1974.

 Margaret was the fourth child and the oldest girl of eleven children. She developed a strong sense of responsibility and became a nurturer at a very young age, often accepting the role of surrogate mother to her siblings and many other children throughout her lifetime. From age 11 through high school graduation, her jobs included local Head-Start volunteer, babysitter, and part time positions at The Jewish Home for the aged, Maine Medical Center, Porteous, Mitchell and Braun, and The YMCA’s Otter Pond Day Camp.

As a child, Margaret loved sports, especially baseball and was an avid Red Sox fan. She often led her younger siblings in song, read them stories, and helped them to create holiday decorations. Consummate reader, writer, and storyteller, Margaret attracted many friends with her spirited zest for life. She was voted “Miss Portland” by her high school peers.  

At the age of 19, Margaret tragically suffered a mental-health breakdown. Eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia, Margaret endured the lifelong effects of the disease. Margaret’s innate sensitivity was assaulted by horrors, imagined and lived, that often interfered with her more natural tendencies of joy, exuberance, and optimism. A woman of lesser faith and tenacity might have given up on life but not Margaret. She enjoyed singing, swimming, jogging, yoga, and baking. She was a talented artist, loved the beach, and was a remarkable poet.

In 2005, Margaret moved into Gordon Green House, in South Portland, where she met just the right approach to her health care by the staff, with support and friendship from her house mates. Margaret had countless caregivers through the years, some became close friends. These earth angels all contributed to make Margaret’s life as pleasurable and stable as possible. There are too many to name but special mention must be given to Dr Roger Inhorn, Hailey “The Comet” Virusso, Carolyn Treat, Kathy Register, Pat Pelletier, the staff at Elderworks; and David Boldebook and the staff at Gordon Green including Michelle Arsenault, Lucy Morabito, and Dawn Savage as they embraced Margaret through challenging years including her two-year battle with breast cancer. Margaret, hero and inspiration to many, will be remembered for her grand compassion, sharp wit, quick turn of the phrase, and undaunted spirit.

Margaret was pre-deceased by her parents, and her brother, John. Besides her Gordon Green Family, she leaves behind three sisters: Elizabeth, Virginia, and Andrea, six brothers: Joel, Mark, Kurt, Timothy, James and Alex, her sister-in-law, Lorraine LaFrance and all their families. 

Services will be held on Saturday, April 18th, 2015 at 11 AM at the Wilde Memorial Chapel at the Evergreen Cemetery in Portland. Following the service family and friends will gather for a reception (TBA).

The family wishes to express their eternal gratitude and respect to the Maine Mental Health Community, especially Shalom House, Inc. and Gordon Green - a program of The Opportunity Alliance. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to either program or to NAMI, Maine.