Margaret was born on March 7, 1943 in Pontiac, Michigan and later moved with her family to Phoenix, Arizona in her teenage years. She attended Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Arizona and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Education from the University of Arizona and a Master of Science from Arizona State University (ASU). While attending ASU, she met her future husband, Mac, who was a US Air Force 2nd Lieutenant in pilot training at nearby Williams AFB. They married December 18, 1965 and after two lengthy Vietnam combat deployments son David was born in 1969, and daughter Katie was born in 1971 in England.
While living in England, Margaret discovered a passion for interior decorating, and a few years (and several moves) later, while her children were busy in the neighborhood elementary school, she drove across Phoenix daily to Scottsdale Community College to earn an Associate degree in interior design. She made the profession fit her family priorities from that time forward by working part time wherever the family lived. She was actively involved in PTA wherever her children were, and she made sure they branched out into courses that would serve them well as responsible students and citizens in their communities.
Margaret saw to it that the family took advantage of the unique opportunities that presented themselves near where they were living. While in Arizona, the family visited the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Flagstaff, Tucson, and many other places from Margaret’s childhood. While in Idaho, they visited Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, went white water rafting and attended a rodeo (much to her chagrin). While in California, they visited Yosemite National Park, Carmel and Monterey.
Margaret excelled in her role as an officer’s wife and became famous as a hostess with remarkable skills at preparing genuine dishes from the Southwest. While they were in Hawaii, she delighted high-ranking US & foreign delegations with her unique menus as they passed through almost weekly from the Asia-Pacific region on visits to and from the US mainland.
During their final Air Force assignment, Margaret was pleased to be able to travel with her husband on trips to visit over 70 units across the globe. Wives of personnel at all levels greatly appreciated her ability to advise and teach the skill needed to help with family concerns and to host events for visitors.
After Mac’s retirement from the Air Force, Margaret was finally able to focus full time on her profession as an interior designer. She and Mac moved to Alpharetta, Georgia and Margaret was able to build her own house with a plan she specified and then filled with decorations and furnishings that looked and functioned exactly to her wishes. After fourteen years there, she was ready to retire and enjoy her grandchild, Zoe, which led to the move to Patriots Colony in 2012.
Margaret loved cooking, reading, taking a nap each afternoon and entertaining family and friends. She was the best Mom to Katie and David, Gie-Gie to Zoe and a wonderful wife to Mac. She will be deeply missed.
Preceded in death by her parents, Albert Johnston Kimball and Charlotte Ayers Kimball. She is survived by her husband of almost 59 years, Lt. Gen. Malcolm Buron Armstrong, USAF (Ret.); son, David Albert Armstrong; daughter, Kathleen Estelle Armstrong Bishop; son-in-law, Barney Michael Bishop; and granddaughter, Zoe Genevieve Bishop; brother, Ralph Kimball and sister-in-law Laura Stiglin; sisters-in-law, Cecile Armstrong Herron, Georgia Armstrong Bryan and Debbie Armstrong Spann; and brother-in-law, Bruce Spann; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family sends appreciation to the dozens of loving caregivers during nearly 9 years in Patriots Colony’s Springhouse Memory Care and Convalescent Care Nursing Home who as a group and as individuals were simply superb.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 3pm in the Grand Hall at Patriots Colony, 6000 Patriots Colony Dr., Williamsburg, VA 23188.
In lieu of flowers, please honor her life with contributions to Alzheimer’s Disease Research and/or the Alzheimer’s Association Southeastern Virginia Chapter. Online condolences may be expressed at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com.
