Margaret McGee

September 19, 1949 - February 04, 2022

Margaret McGee, of Floyd, Virginia, died peacefully at home on February 4, 2022 surrounded by friends who loved her dearly. Margaret was born in Abbeville, South Carolina on September 19, 1949 to John McGee and Jane Ballentine McGee Cox. She left Abbeville to attend Emory University where she obtained a degree in biology. After graduating from Emory, Margaret attended the Medical College of Virginia where she earned a degree in physical therapy and learned skills that would enable her to spend the rest of her life helping those with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. Her most profound legacy is the countless children and adults whose lives were immeasurably changed by her professional and personal devotion and support. Margaret was as much an engineer and assistive technology specialist as she was a physical therapist. She was known for her innovative, creative solutions to all of her client's needs, often making her own adaptive changes when standardized equipment was inadequate. She even made a wheelchair once for her hemiplegic chicken, Julia. She had a private practice in NJ for many years and also taught courses and workshops in advanced methods of treating neurologically involved children and adults. In 2003 she moved to Floyd, VA continuing to practice physical therapy and consulting nationally in her areas of expertise. In addition to the many physical therapy clients she assisted, Margaret’s love of animals, especially her beloved golden retrievers, resulted in the rescue and care of countless four-legged beings. They were the loves of her life and she leaves behind Jack, Emma and Ramona. Margaret had many passions beyond physical therapy and animal rescue. She loved music and played the organ, piano, banjo, flute, harmonica and violin. She loved art and photography and experimented with just about every craft that involves the use of one’s hands. She made handcrafted wood designs, molded clay figures, created sculptures with rope and metal and loved to draw. A life-long learner, Margaret obtained her Master’s Degree in Education from Lesley University thirty years after obtaining her degree in physical therapy. At the time of her death, she had completed all the course work necessary for her Ph.D. in Education from Lesley University and was working on her dissertation designed to raise awareness that people with severe multiple disabilities have value and can be contributors to relationships when there is an expectation of some form of meaningful communication. In addition to Jack, Emma and Ramona, Margaret leaves behind a clan of beloved and devoted friends who were her family. Among those who will deeply grieve her absence are Joan Ann Heimrich, Renee Leimgruber, Janet Michaels, Debbie Kapsalakis, Kristen Birkmeier, Karen Day, Debbie Durgin, Kim O’Donnell, Anita Castle, Jennifer Akers and Ann Shrader… Donations in Margaret’s name can be made to the Floyd County Humane Society or Plenty! in Floyd, Virginia.

Dear Margaret, I am in shock at the news of your passing. I will forever remember our pancake dinners when you were down here doing your amazing things with our babies at ARCO. You are a wonderful friend and I will miss you terribly. Love Christine