Margie Hudnell

Margaret (Marjeta) “Margie” Hudnell (née Kokal) was born September 8th, 1953, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, to her parents, the late Joseph and Mary Kokal, of Slovenia. She passed peacefully on June 30th, 2026, in her home.

Margie was preceded in death by her devoted husband Tom, to whom she was married for over 38 years, as well as her sister and brother-in-law Mary and Pat O’Boyle, and her brother Joseph “Joe” Kokal.

Margie is survived by her son Scott, his wife Michelle (née Mason), and granddaughters, Hannah and Abigail. She also leaves behind her sister and brothers Terri Laurie (Joe Noga), Leon Kokal (Rita) and Andrej Kokal (Stephanie), sister-in law Nada Kokal, as well as dozens of other extended family members, including nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws and more. She held a special place in her heart for her sister Mary’s children- her nephew Dan O’Boyle, his wife Joy, and their sons Aidan and Cullen, and her niece Kathleen Walker, her husband Ryan Walker, and their sons Silas and Nolan. Margie also considered herself a mother to Champ and Cheer Pihakaendr, exchange students from Thailand, with whom she had stayed in contact with for over 25 years.

Margie attended Villa Angela Academy (Class of ‘71) in Cleveland Ohio, before studying nursing at St. Vincent Charity Hospital, and becoming a certified EMT. She graduated top of her class from Cuyahoga Community College with a degree in Biology and Chemistry. She continued her studies, graduating with highest honors from Case Western University with a BA in Biology. She then attended the Wright State University School of Medicine for three years, and also earned an Applied Associates Degree in Surgical Technology from Sinclair. While unable to finish medical school, she enjoyed a lifetime full of purpose. Margie had many careers in her life, including working as a surgical technologist, a legal secretary, in medical and legal dictation, and even as the office administrator for the Montessori school her son attended.

Margie was an active member at Queen of Apostilles Community, (now called SPIRITUS, a Marianist Lay Community), serving, volunteering, and faithfully attending for over 40 years. She and Tom were recognized by the Arch Diocese of Cincinnati and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur with the 2019 Sister Dorothy Stang Award. She also spent many decades volunteering with the ISHA foundation. With that group, she traveled to India several times, hiking the Himalayan Mountains and doing volunteer and charitable work. Margie and Tom spent a lot of time volunteering together with countless other local Catholic and Christian charities and volunteer programs, including making meals and serving as overnight hosts for the Schneider House of Hope/Interfaith Hospitality Network, reading to residents at the “Book Club” they founded at Heartland of Beavercreek, serving and delivering food and clothing with St. Vincent De Paul, and helping with the local First Lego League.

Margie had a vibrant green thumb, filling her flowerbeds with gorgeous multi-season arrays. She celebrated her Slovenian heritage, making traditional foods for her family. A former ballroom and polka dancer, she stayed active, and enjoyed walking, hiking, swimming and practicing yoga. She also often frequented local theater productions and musicals and enjoyed traveling with Tom and other family. Margie loved being a mother, aunt and “Nana” most of all. Spending time caring for her granddaughters and nephews brought her great joy. Her disposition always positive, she often exuded a childlike joy at even simple things in life, like going down the large slide at Young’s, swinging with her granddaughters at the park playground, eating ice-cream with her family, or talking a walk with a friend and their dog.

To know Margie was to be cared for by her. She was a staple in many delivery rooms and homes, tenderly caring for new moms and babies. She was the first to volunteer to help a friend set up her classroom, move homes, or take donations to a shelter. She selflessly donated her kidney to her sister Mary, and later cared for both Mary and Pat, Mary’s husband, to his passing. When friends were facing trials, sicknesses, death of a loved one, or in need of support, she was there, cleaning, cooking, caring, and offering quiet companionship. She had an easy smile and an excellent sense of humor (probably built from putting up with Tom’s frequent dad jokes), and always lifted the spirits of those around her. She never knew a stranger, and made friends easily everywhere she went. She was gentle, considerate, patient and selfless.

Naj počiva v miru.

There will be a Celebration of Life on July 20th, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., at Kirkmont church, 3377 Shakertown Road, Beavercreek Ohio, with a light reception to follow.

Margie felt helping others was both a privilege and an essential part of life. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable donation in her memory and honor. Meaningful donation recipients would include Family Promise of Greene County, the Lewy Body Dementia Association, or a community care/outreach fund at your place of worship.