Oct 31, 2023

Margaret Elizabeth Vogel, formerly of Washington, went home to her Lord on Friday, October 20, 2023 at the age of 100.

She was born on May 9, 1923 in Tungjen, in the province of Guizhou (formally Kweichow), China to missionary parents, Carl and Elisabeth Wahl. She would recall many stories about her growing up in China, the trips to Germany, her father’s untimely death, and her journey to America with her brother as teenagers. After two years of attending Iowa State University, she obtained her nursing degree at Vanderbilt University. While a student at Vanderbilt, she met Norman Vogel and their love resulted in over 60 years of marriage.

The family moved in the early years to wherever Norman was studying or teaching, eventually settling in Washington, Pennsylvania. They lived in Southwestern Pennsylvania for over 35 years. When Norman took a sabbatical year from W & J College in 1968-69, the family lived in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. In retirement years, Margaret was drawn to Pleasant Hill Tennessee to be closer to her sister and lived in the Uplands Retirement Village for nearly 30 years.

Margaret shared her love with her community and church. In Pennsylvania, Margaret was active in the United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, and along with Norman, was a founding member of the West Alexander Covered Bridge Artisans. In Tennessee, she was active in the community in numerous ways including the Pleasant Hill Community Church and the Wharton Association.

As a master gardener, Margaret loved to grow plants and trees and helped to plan and plant many garden beds. Her orchid collection was extensive and she could describe the plants for both their scientific and beauty elements. Margaret was an accomplished fiber artisan who could take wool from sheep to finished piece – be that knitted, crochet, woven, or sewn.

Earlier this year Margaret celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends. She was the last of her generation.

She is preceded in death by husband, Norman Vogel; her parents and siblings, John Wahl, Trudie Palm and Helen Spears. Surviving include children Carl (Alice Howell) Vogel of Lexington, Ky., Glenn (Corrinne) Vogel of Washington, Janet (John) Blachek of Loganton, and Mark (Jane) Vogel of Ann Arbor, Mich.; seven grandchildren, Jonathan (Rick Hawthorn) Vogel of Ashville, N.C., Matthew (Tiffany) Vogel and Jennifer (Scott) May of Washington, Joel (Monique) Blachek of Williamsport, Justin Blachek of Loganton, Claire Vogel of Seattle, Wash., and Anna Vogel of Ann Arbor, Mich.; and five great-grandchildren, Colton, Gavin and Caden Vogel and Cameron and Braydon May, all of Washington, and many nieces and nephews.

At the request of the deceased there will be no visitation. Her final gift of love was the donation of her body to be used in the training of medical students at Meharry Medical College. A family memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of your choice.