Margaret Mary Wagner

Margaret Mary Wagner was born in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Denver, Colorado on Sunday, January 31, 1943 and passed away exactly 83 years later, on January 31, 2026. Her parents were Edward Andrew Wagner (1913-1996) and wife Ethel Margaret Salter Wagner (1915-2001). Ed and Ethel married in March of 1937, and they resided at 4954 Meade Street in northwest Denver near their parents and other family until 1952 when they moved with Margaret into a beautiful new brick home in south Denver, at 1104 S. Garfield Street. Ed was a foreman at Paxton Lumber Company and was a talented wood carver.

Margaret went to 1st and 2nd grades at Berkley Grade School in northwest Denver. Then she attended the remainder of grade school and high school in south Denver. Upon her graduation from high school. Margaret attended nursing school for four years at Loretto Heights College and completed her internship at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs.

Prior to 1965, Margaret was unfortunately involved in a serious automobile accident on Ft. Carson Army Base where she went through the windshield, resulting in the loss of her right eye, among other permanent injuries. Margaret’s strong character came out during her recovery and she persevered to lead a full, active life, including numerous overseas trips and her enjoyment of driving her 1988 Jeep and 2001 Subaru, each with a stick shift!

After recovering from the accident, Margaret began her career working as a dedicated Medical Technologist at Mercy Hospital, at 16th Ave. and Milwaukee in Denver, starting in 1965 and continuing for the next 35 years. She proudly accepted her well-deserved promotion to Head Laboratory Technologist at the hospital. Margaret continued to work in that capacity until the hospital closed in 1999.

Margaret never married and continued to live with her father and mother until their deaths in 1996 and 2001, respectively. She was a steadfast caregiver for them, in their final years.

Margaret was a devout Catholic and faithfully attended Catholic churches all of her life, ending with St. Vincent de Paul Church in south Denver. She received the rite of baptism on February 28, 1943, and her first Holy Communion on October 29, 1950, both at Holy Family Church in Denver.

Margaret always had a fondness for big dogs – having had several German Shepherds through the years and in the end, had her furry friend, Charlotte. Charlotte was rescued from the pound as a pup and was originally thought to be a small dog, but turned out to be a huge, 118 pound white Siberian Husky, that she loved dearly to the end.

Margaret took many years of accordion music lessons from entertainer Anthony Pennetti at his C. Pennetti Accordian School on W. 38th Ave., across from The Plainview Inn restaurant.

Margaret thoroughly enjoyed extensive overseas travels with both parents (together and individually). They traveled to numerous countries and also experienced many Colorado mountain trips. Margaret’s passports over the years beginning in 1967 confirm her memorable visits to London, France, Denmark, Barcelona, Brussels, New Zealand and Canada!

Margaret is survived by three Wagner 1st cousins; and Salter 1st cousins, Errol “Butch” and Carole Salter (Wheat Ridge, CO); Dorcas (Salter) Good (Broken Arrow, OK); and Richard Salter (Eminence, MO); and extended families; and her beloved furry friend, Charlotte. She is predeceased by her parents and a baby brother which her mother lost during pregnancy after Margaret was born.

Margaret was a long-standing stalwart of the S. Garfield Street and E. Mississippi Ave. neighborhood! She provided steady support to the neighbors and local businesses. She also received kind, loving support and help from her many neighbors and friends, for which she was extremely grateful. During their walks around Margaret’s block, many neighbors delighted in conversing with Margaret and petting her friendly dog and constant companion, Charlotte!

Margaret will be greatly missed! Her devoted career as Head Research Laboratory Technologist, along with her love of family and dogs, has left a lasting legacy.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of the organizations listed below in memory of our loved one.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Humane Society of Boulder Valley

Belcaro Animal Hospital