Margaret Ann McMahon

Margaret Ann (Mahoney) McMahon left this world on July 10, 2024, passing peacefully from this life into the loving arms of our Lord. 

Born January 10, 1934, to Geoffrey and Mary (Sexton) Mahoney in St. Paul Minnesota she was the sixth of seven children. She graduated from Derham Hall and St. Catherine’s College in St. Paul. She met her future husband, John “Jack” McMahon, 74 years ago, at the annual Cretin High School Military Ball where he was the Cadet Colonel and Margaret Ann was the ”Belle of the Ball”. They were married on May 26, 1956, and proceeded to have five wonderful children.

In her 90 years on this earth Margaret Ann never found a person with whom she could not strike up a conversation. Some, including her children at times, did everything they could to dissuade, tamp down or ignore her conversational ardor but to no avail. Whether she was walking children to school, teaching her famous microwave cooking classes, acting as the “Welcome Wagon” lady (yes, that was really a thing) in Appleton WI, sitting on an airplane with 5 kids or even meandering through the grocery store, all around were fair game. She was, at heart, a people person.

Margaret Ann always loved a good party and was the consummate entertainer with the ability to make her guests feel they were the most important people in the world. While rightfully recognized as an amazing cook what is always recalled by her guests was the warmth and generosity of her hospitality.

Bitten hard by the travel bug, Margaret Ann and Jack traveled the world, with destinations includingEurope multiple times, Africa, the South Pacific and Australia. They simply loved the ability to learn, experience and appreciate other cultures.

Regular relocation was a hallmark of the McMahon family, rarely lasting more than 3 years in one place. At last count, they lived in over 20 different houses during their marriage. Appleton, however, was their home to which they always returned. They lived inSeattle in 1957, St. Paul in 1958, two stints in the thriving metropolis of Niagara WI (1959 and 1966) and Johannesburg South Africa in 1973 with 5 kids in tow...an incredible learning experience for the entire family. Following Jack’s retirement in 1993, Margaret Ann and Jack split their time as snowbirds between Naples FL and Appleton. And in 2020 Margaret Ann and Jack once again returned home to Appleton.

Through travel, moves, and parties, Margaret Ann relentlessly collected friends and family whom she loved and who loved her deeply; she will be missed by all.

Margaret Ann is survived by her husband of 68 years, Jack McMahon, her children, Timothy McMahon (Sarah), Kathleen Knutson (Steven), Geoffrey McMahon (Deb), Maureen Holloway (David) and Margaret Stillman (Steven), her brother James Mahoney (Mary Ann), 14 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Geoffrey Mahoney, Dr. Paul Mahoney, and Richard Mahoney and her sisters Mary Catherine Baumgaertner and Elizabeth Spillane as well as their spouses.

Visitation for Margaret Ann will be held Tuesday, July 16, from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am, at St. Bernard Catholic Parish, 1617 W. Pine St., Appleton, WI 54914. A luncheon will be provided immediately following the Mass.  Mass on Tuesday will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person and may be accessed via the following link:

St Bernard Catholic Parish

Margaret Ann’s family is extremely grateful for the wonderful care provided by the caregivers at Home Instead and Touchmark in Appleton. 

Memorial donations may be made in Margaret Ann’s name to The Jimmy Fund supporting cancer care and research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. www.jimmyfund.org