Margaret Badger Prior

PORTLAND - Margaret Prior of Portland, formerly of Unity, passed away on December 18, 2017, at Sedgewood Commons in Falmouth, where she had been a resident since May.

Margaret, also known as Midge, was born on November 20, 1927, in Portsmouth, N.H., to Paul C. and Marian M. Badger. She had a wonderful childhood, filled with lots of fun and the attention of one grandmother in her home and the other one next door. From her early days, Margaret was an eager participant in and organizer of activities outdoors, singing and dancing, and her Sunday school at the Congregational Church.

Margaret attended Portsmouth schools and then the University of New Hampshire in Durham where she joined Chi Omega sorority. She graduated in 1948 with a degree in Physical Education and Recreation, but remained nearby, working for the University. There she met Carl Prior of South Orange N.J. when he was getting his master's degree. They were married in 1951. After moving a few times, they settled in Maine in 1965 when Carl was named the Assistant Dean at Farmington State College. Thrilled to be in a ski town and determined that her two daughters would learn to ski, Midge took on the task of organizing and directing the ski school at Titcomb slope. She also started a girl scout troop, which gave her lots of opportunities to organize fun and work with young people, a life-long passion.

In 1968, Carl was named Dean at Unity College in Unity, Maine. They built a house in the middle of town and Midge began getting busy. She joined the Unity Union Church, sang in the choir, taught phys. ed at Mount View High School in Thorndike and coached field hockey and gymnastics, frequently driving "her girls" herself to nearby school districts so that they might have the opportunity to compete. She and Carl always made sure there was lots of time for their family, daughters Elizabeth and Martha, getting them to music lessons, family ski days and outings throughout Maine. Midge never went to the lake for a swim, on a picnic, or camping trip without including neighborhood kids, family and friends.

Carl passed away suddenly in 1977. Midge chose to remain among her many friends in Unity, still teaching and coaching and tending to her daughters. In 1978, Midge met Warren Champlin of Albion. She immediately took up his favorite activity, golf. Midge also embraced Warren's five children as her own and delighted in the seven grandchildren who came along soon after. When Midge retired from Mt. View, she and Warren spent winters in Florida for 15 years. They were active in their church, sang in the choir, played golf, bridge, and entertained family and friends often. Midge and Warren were together until he passed away in 2004.

Midge loved her home, her town and all the people in Unity. She attended town meetings, worked for the food pantry, was active in church, Rotary International, played bridge, and continued to swim and ski. She was a great cook and loved to have company, either for a quick bite or a week in Maine for her many friends from away. Holidays often included any and all who did not have family plans. She spent endless hours on her beautiful gardens where she enjoyed having local young people around to help. Midge became a certified Master Gardener later in life, worked with the Maine Department of Transportation to create flower beds on Main Street, and founded the Unity Garden Club. Everyone who met her was struck by Midge's vibrant smile, love of laughter and great sense of humor. All of that remained intact until the end.

Margaret is survived by her two daughters, Elizabeth of Portland, Martha and her husband, Tom Corriveau, their daughters, Heather and Jessica, of Milton, N.H. and sister Ann (Mrs. Alan Fuller) of New Cannan, Conn.

Elizabeth and Martha will always be extremely grateful for the loving care their mother received at Sedgewood Commons.

There will be a celebration of her life on May 19, 2018 at 1:00 p.m., at Unity Union Church with a reception to follow.

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