Greenberg, Margaret
Dr. Margaret Greenberg, age
76, passed away at her Corrales home on March 4, 2017. Maggie will forever be remembered as a champion of social justice, a skillful and caring teacher, a headstrong and courageous leader, and a kind and compassionate human being who was constantly thinking of others and giving of herself.
Margaret Annette Henderson was born in Amarillo, Texas, and grew up in Zachary, Louisiana, until the age of 13 when her father died and her family moved to California. Upon graduating from San Jose State University’s nursing program, she worked in pediatrics at Stanford Hospital. There she met the love of her life, Robert Greenberg (Bob), a pediatrician whom she married in 1969. Maggie and Bob’s 46-year marriage was an epic love story for the ages. Together they raised Adam, Nina, Matt, and Tobi, upon whom they rained an indescribable amount of love, affection, and support. In 1976, the Greenbergs moved to Corrales, New Mexico. Maggie worked as a school nurse before returning to graduate school at University of New Mexico where she earned a Masters degree in nursing and a PhD in sociology when she was in her 50s. For her doctoral dissertation she studied social and economic factors affecting the health of women working in maquiladoras (foreign-owned factories) on the US-Mexico border. Maggie spent more than 20 years on the nursing faculty at UNM where she taught community health nursing and was beloved by her students, as evidenced by her numerous teaching awards. In 2009 she was honored with a Legend of Nursing Award from UNM. Following her retirement from the university she served for many years on the Boards of Directors of Sandoval County Health Council and Abrazos. Along with her husband Bob, she lent her passion and skills to public health and development projects in Thailand, Uganda, Cambodia, and the U.S. Gulf Coast. Maggie and Bob’s lifelong political activism continued into their later years, when they assumed leadership roles with the New Mexico chapter of Progressive Democrats of America. It was often noted that Maggie’s energy and vigor far surpassed that of most people a third her age. Maggie’s many creative endeavors included weaving, photography, collage, gardening, and jewelry making. She was an adventurous traveler who spoke Spanish, an excellent cook and hostess, a strong swimmer and skier, and an avid patron of music and the arts. Like Bob she was a voracious reader, and like her mother she had a legendary sweet tooth.
While she gave so much of herself to all of these pursuits, as a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, wife, and daughter, Maggie’s first priority and passion was her family. She was truly the glue that held her extended families together. She was also a wonderful friend and confidante to so many and a "second mother" to no small few, always ready to lend a compassionate ear and sound guidance. Maggie’s endless giving of herself in ways large and small was a thing of awe which inspires the best in all of us.
Maggie is preceded in death by her husband Bob, her parents Bernard Kermit and Marjorie, her brother Cliff, and her nephew Bobby. She will be greatly missed by her four children and their spouses Leticia and Richard, her grandchildren Sean and Michelle, her brother Ken and his wife Donna, her sister-in-law Sandi, her nieces Nancy, Malika, Jennifer, Kelly, Courtney and nephews Dan, David, Kyle and their families, her newest grandchildren by marriage Chris, Beth, Isabela, and Veronica, and her godson Jesse.
A celebration of Maggie’s life will be held on April 9, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., at First Unitarian Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Robert and Margaret Greenberg Scholarship Fund at Social Science Research Center of Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 5287, Mississippi State, MS 39762, Attn: Dr. Arthur Cosby,
Arthur.Cosby@ssrc.msstate.edu.