Obituary
Margaret ‘Margie’ de Coligny, 84, of Durham, North Carolina, passed away on October 28, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love, adventure, and devotion to her family. She was surrounded by family and her hand was being held by Bill, her loving husband of 63 years, as she drew her last breath.
Margie was born in Syracuse, New York to D. Ray and Ruth Park, on September 28th, 1940. While attending Connecticut College she was swept off her feet by a handsome football player from Trinity College. Margie and Bill were married on July 1st of 1961. The newlyweds relocated to Durham, North Carolina. Margie earned her bachelor’s degree from Duke University in 1962. They returned to Syracuse, where Margie taught preschool, and Bill worked at Syracuse University’s Admission Office. Margie’s two oldest daughters, Elaine and Cynthia, were born in New York. Her youngest, Janine, was born in Delaware.
The family moved to St. Croix, U.S.V.I. in 1974, Margie taught Special Education and Bill served as the Headmaster of St. Croix Country Day School. Margie loved the ocean and playing tennis, and St. Croix is an ideal place to enjoy both. The distance from family led Margie and Bill to return to the mainland in 1979. They spent two years in Charlottesville, Virginia where she taught Special Education.
In 1981 Margie and Bill decided to move back to the ocean to familiar place, Ocean Pines, Maryland. Margie started her new career as a realtor where she exceled helping the growing community. Margie loved selling real estate and she was outstanding at it, with extensive accolades and awards she received. Equally important to Margie and Bill as founders of The Ocean Pines Community Church, Margie served as the chairperson of several committees. A natural leader and teacher, Margie was instrumental to the helping create Little Lambs Daycare.
After several years of declining physical abilities, Margie and Bill decided to return to Durham, North Carolina. They moved into Croasdaile Village in 2012. They made many friends and enjoyed multiple activities. Margie’s favorite places were the pool and pond, where she would often see a great blue heron. She played bridge at least once a week. Margie and Bill were deeply involved with the Pugh Chapel ministry at Croasdaile.
Margie loved to travel and experience new people, places, and things. She also loved to play games and was quite the card-shark and Scrabble wordsmith. Margie brought her family together around the card table for countless memories and laughter. She usually won.
Family was the cornerstone of Margie’s life. Margie was guiding light and driving force behind her three daughters and nine grandchildren. With the birth of her grandchildren, Gammy found additional purpose and joy. They, along with her five great-grandchildren, were the absolute light of her life.
Margie is survived by her husband Bill; brothers, David (Linda), Richard (Ann); daughters, Elaine (David), Cynthia (Tommy) and Janine; her grandchildren, Brooke, Emmanuelle (Kevin), Kyle, Andrew (Paige), Jack, Brendan (Molly), Billy (Juniper) and Lauren; her step-grandchildren, Uyunda, Deotis (Georgia), Zachary (Sydney); and her great-grandchildren, Cooper, James, Margaret, Weston, Hatteras, and Lennon; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Ray and Ruth Park, her youngest grandson Christopher (Jessie), and her nephew David Park III. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten, as her spirit lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday November 9, 2024 at 11:00 at the Croasdaile Village Chapel, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway, Durham, NC 27705.
Margie was a snazzy dresser. She loved bright colors, and we invite you to wear one of her favorites–turquoise, teal, purple, etc.–to the service in her honor.
If you are not able to attend, you can watch the service on Zoom. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84510734404?pwd=cndIbHNiR0NqQlE4c2kxdGdKcHM1dz09 Password – 2600
