Margaret (Maggie) Watson was born on January 8, 1949, at Bethany Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, to Arthur Francis and Frances Margaret (Ukele) Watson. She grew up in Bonner Springs, Kansas, where she graduated from Bonner Springs High School. She studied pharmacology at the University of Colorado Boulder and English at the University of Kansas before pursuing a career in film. First working as a film editor/director at Calvin Productions, Maggie later became a video producer, director and script writer for Sprint. In addition, she freelanced as a film editor and post production assistant at Paragon Posting. As a film editor, she had the opportunity to impact both local and national films, including a number of Disney feature movies.
Switching gears in her midlife, Maggie attended Rockhurst University, earning a Bachelor of Nursing degree, which launched her next career. She subsequently devoted more than seventeen years as a nurse, caring for patients at Research Medical Center, Baptist Medical Center and Menorah Medical Center. Passionate about helping others, Maggie mentored many nurses and other health care professionals at Menorah. Frequently working through lunch and breaks, Maggie provided compassionate care that made a difference in the lives of her patients. Physicians who had the opportunity to work with Maggie respected her knowledge and counsel, frequently implementing her recommended care plans.
Maggie led a full life. She married her first husband (Robert) while at the University of Colorado Boulder. While the two eventually parted ways, they were proud of their twin boys, Mark and Arthur. Life as a single mother was challenging, but Maggie approached life with a positive attitude. She introduced her boys to the joys of cooking with homemade fried chicken dinners complete with mashed potatoes and fruit pies on Sundays as a reward for behaving at church. She also instilled in them a love of adventure and curiosity. The boys experienced many adventures, to Maggie’s chagrin, when she took them to work with her at Calvin, to Harper’s Fabrics for sewing classes on the Country Club Plaza or to any number of stores around town. Maggie also impressed upon her twins the value of a good education by exposing them to books, books and more books.
Later in life, Maggie met and married her second husband (Charles). Together they had a son (Michael Frederick), who unfortunately died when he was only a few months old. In 1999, Charles also passed away peacefully at home, leaving Maggie with many wonderful memories.
As Maggie worked to rebuild her life, immersing herself in her nursing career, she met her third husband (Christopher). The two wed and enjoyed more than 17 years together, honeymooning in Europe and frequently traveling to both coasts to visit family and friends.
Maggie was an avid reader and connoisseur of movies. She loved to cook, explore new places and garden. Her creative talents were many, including her sewing and knitting creations. Always carrying around a large bag with a knitting project, Maggie's friends affectionately nicknamed her the “bag lady.” Quick witted and intelligent, Maggie loved to spend time with her family and friends.
In February 2014, Maggie was initially diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. Over the following seven years, Maggie fought cancer and completed stem cell replacement therapy. While Maggie was victorious over the cancer, its toll on her body was too much. Resilient and feisty, Maggie maintained a “can do” attitude and vowed to fight until the end, which is exactly what she did. After a brief stay at the Kansas City Hospice House, Maggie passed away peacefully with family and friends nearby.
Maggie was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Frances Watson; husband Charles Nichols; and son Michael. She is survived by her husband of more than 17 years Christopher Nygren; sons Mark Shaffer and Arthur (Linda) Shaffer; brother Fred (Mary) Watson; grandchildren Logan, Victoria and Zoey Shaffer; stepdaughters Stacy Knellinger and Laurie Nygren and step grandchildren Zachary and Timothy.
While the family plans to hold a private burial, they will host a Celebration of Life later this spring. The family would like to thank all of Maggie's caregivers, especially those at KU Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center and Kansas City Hospice House.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Kansas City Hospice House.
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