Margaret Ann Pullen

Living 96 years, 2 weeks, and 4 days, Margaret Pullen saw the world change drastically in her lifetime. In defiance, she stayed stubbornly, beautifully, mostly the same for every minute of every day of all those years. Born Margaret Ann Martin on February 17, 1927, in Muncie, Indiana, she was the eldest child of Elnora Ruth (Cecil) Martin and Wilbert Martin. Such a delight was she, that three more Martin children followed in quick succession, Rachel, Nancy, and David. And for good measure, Tom and Judy joined the band several years later. She took on bread-winning and bread-making duties early, as war time life and Midwest practicality necessitated, taking on odd jobs and helping to raise her siblings.
Always involved, Margaret joined a canteen at the railroad station in town, making lunches and writing notes for the troops passing through. Such service and a bit of luck introduced her to the love of her life, Norman Pullen, a Navy sailor from New Jersey whom she married on June 23, 1946 after two years of letter writing. While in Muncie, Norm and Maggie welcomed four children, Emily Ruth Ann, William, Norman, and Laura. Railroad life brought the Pullens to Ohio, moving first to Parma Heights, then Toledo, Conneaut, and Elyria. All the while, Maggie kept their kids clean, clothed, in line, and (mostly) out of trouble. She worked in retail, from selling White brand sewing machines for the Higbee Company in downtown Cleveland, to selling jewelry at the Fisher Big Wheel in Conneaut, and one infamous stint at a pizza parlor in Toledo. Her little free time was filled working with the Daughters of the American Revolution and volunteering as a pink lady at Brown Memorial Hospital in Conneaut.
After they retired to Inverness, Florida, Norm and Maggie spent the better part of 20 years traveling across the country for Naval reunions and visits with family, including their 9 beloved grandchildren. Norm golfed and Maggie volunteered with the Pregnancy Crisis Center in Inverness, as they both believed the secret to a happy marriage being a bit of time apart. Together, they played bridge, euchre, and dominoes, saw a movie almost every week, and fought almost daily, though only ever about who got to do the dishes. Norm passed in January 2004 and several years later, Maggie gave up her evening walks with the alligators, to join her daughter Laura and family back in Ohio.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, her very handsome husband, four of her five siblings, and her oldest daughter, Emily Ruth Ann. She is remembered and carried forward through life in the hearts of so so many, littlest of all belonging to her 13 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Maggie passed peacefully in the early morning hours of an exceptionally bright day, on March 7, 2023. Rumor has it, she is to spend the afterlife touring the great beyond with her great love, by way of motorhome. Those of us on this earthly plane will find her in the songs of birds, in books and puzzle books, in the softness of gifted afghans, and in each other. She was imperfect, but steady, stubborn and generous. She was well-loved and will be deeply missed.
As were her wishes, no funeral services will be held, but Maggie’s family encourages you to gather with all your favorite people in her honor, preferably over pie.