Obituary: Margaret Walden Froehlich,92, Children's Book Author

Information and Photo Courtesy Bouton Funeral Home

REDDING, CT — Margaret Rose Walden Froehlich, 92, passed away peacefully at home on October 23, 2022. She was born June 17, 1930 in New Kensington, Pennsylvania to Hazel Lucy (Mays) and Lloyd Leighton Walden.

Margaret grew up in Pennsylvania and graduated from Kenwood High School of Baltimore, Maryland, where she was voted Most Studious. She received a B.A. from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and an M.Ed. from Johns Hopkins. Margaret taught second grade in Baltimore County for four years. When she encountered a live snake in her classroom desk drawer, she calmly plucked it up and dropped it out the window, causing the offending student to lament, “Aww, Miss Walden, we thought you’d be scared.”

In 1954, Margaret went to a dance on the rooftop of the YMCA with her sister. This was where she met Jack Froehlich. Margaret and Jack were married on April 12, 1955 in Baltimore. In 1968 they moved with their six children (at the time) from Illinois to Connecticut. After living briefly in Ridgefield, they realized their home was too small for their large family and they moved to Hawks’ Nest in Redding. Margaret and Jack were married for 55 years. They raised eight children and opened their home to 16 foster children. Margaret achieved her life wishes: to have a big family, maintain her lifelong friendships and be a writer.

Margaret liked to stay active. She was a prolific quilter (all by hand) but would “never make another hooked rug.” She loved tag sales and refinished and stenciled old furniture, which has been lovingly passed to children and grandchildren. Margaret loved to read and fancied stories that were stoic and bleak. Her favorite novels were Kristin Lavransdatter and Giants in the Earth. She was a published author and wrote while the kids were napping. Her young adult novels, Hide Crawford Quick (1983) and Reasons to Stay (1986) were published by Houghton Mifflin Company. Her children’s book, That Kookoory! (1985) was featured on CBS Morning News. She wrote many humorous articles about family life, publishing in Highlights Magazine, Lands’ End catalog and various supplements of the Acorn Press. Margaret was a legend at leading evening story hours at the Mark Twain Library. She captivated dozens of young children with her animated stories and props.

An avid gardener, Margaret’s life at Hawks’ Nest was a woodsy adventure. Over the 48 years that Margaret and Jack lived there, they transformed the property from an overgrown jungle to a lush, blooming delight. She could coax anything to grow and thrive. Herbs, double bloodroot, and cleomes were favorites. She did occasional battle with snakes, raccoons, centipedes, mice and her nemesis: the deer. She was a faithful feeder of birds--one loyal hummingbird would return annually to the dining room window, whether she had the feeder ready or not.

While admittedly never a fan of cooking, Margaret baked endless batches of cookies, barely staying ahead of what her kids could eat. She had a notorious sweet tooth. Twinkies, Hershey Kisses and hot fudge sundaes were among her favorites.

Margaret was a devout member of Sacred Heart Church in Georgetown, Connecticut. She was devoted to St. Anthony, the Patron Saint of lost things. He never failed to intercede! In her later years, Margaret moved to Ridgefield Crossings in Ridgefield, Connecticut. She was a beloved member of the community there and prayed for her caregivers and other residents daily.

Margaret was gentle and selfless and lived her life with grace. She was a believer in miracles, a counter of blessings and abundantly grateful for her family. The care and love she gave to so many will be dearly remembered.

She is survived by seven children: Catherine Ednie and her partner Sam DiBella of Hancock, Maine; Andrea Hooper and her husband Randy Hooper of Saco, Maine; Greg Froehlich and his wife Denise of Thetford, Vermont; Carl Froehlich of Danbury; Kristin Froehlich and her husband Elton Grunden of Wilmington, Delaware; Rosemary Froehlich of Norwalk; Meg Rose of Illinois; seven grandchildren: Alexandra Carlson of Lake Carmel, New York; Elias Ednie; John Carlson and his wife Heather of Cartersville, Georgia; Esmé Hoehn and her husband Oscar of Methuen, Massachusetts; Blair Ednie of Denver, Colorado; Rowan Froehlich of Allston, Massachusetts; Nathaniel Froehlich of Thetford, Vermont; three great-grandchildren: Oliver and Ophelia Chow and Lars Hoehn; sister-in-law Emily Froehlich and many well-loved nieces and nephews.
Margaret was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jack, their infant daughter Mary and son David, brothers Stanley Bruce, Cecil Lloyd, and Richard Byrd, and sisters Shirley Mays, Carolyn Hazel, Cassandra Southwick and Gabriel Sue. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Ridgefield Crossings and the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association.

Friends and relatives are invited to a vigil on Friday, November 4, 2022 from 5-7pm at Bouton Funeral Home, 31 West Church Street, Georgetown, Connecticut. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 11am at Sacred Heart Church, 30 Church Street, Georgetown, Connecticut. Interment will follow at Umpawaug Cemetery, 149 Umpawaug Road, Redding, Connecticut.

Donations in Margaret’s memory can be made online to Connecticut Children’s Foundation (formerly Newington Children’s Hospital) at Donate to Connecticut Children’s Foundation, Inc. (connecticutchildrens.org.) Checks, made payable to Connecticut Children’s Foundation, Inc., may be mailed to Connecticut Children’s Foundation, Inc., Attn: Memorial Gifts, PO Box 412901, Boston, MA 02241-2901. Please include Margaret’s name in the gift memo line.