HOULTON, Maine – Margaret Grant Ludwig, 84, of Houlton, passed away on December 2, 2017, after a long illness.
She was born on November 3, 1933, in Indore, India, the second child of Rev. Clifford and Dorothy (Mitchell) Grant, who were missionaries with the United Church of Canada.
Following her mother’s unexpected death in 1939, Margaret went to live with her maternal grandparents and aunt in Houlton. She subsequently attended school there, as well as in Canada and Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, (her father’s hometown) before returning to India in 1945. She attended Kodaikanal International School until her stepmother also died suddenly in 1948.
Shortly thereafter, she rejoined her maternal relatives in Maine, graduating from Houlton High School in 1951 and Colby College in 1955, where she made many close friends and excelled in theatrical and musical pursuits.
In 1956, while singing in her local church choir, she caught the eye of Leland O. Ludwig, III, who was home from Pennsylvania for the Christmas holidays. He soon proposed and returned to Houlton to join Petroleum Products, Inc., his family’s business. They were married in the same church in 1957.
Three children followed, but Margaret still found time to participate in community and civic affairs. She argued successfully for fluoridated water and raised funds for the local hospital. She was active in the P.T.A., garden club, and A.A.U.W, served as a trustee of Ricker College and chairperson of the local school board, and was elected to four terms in the Maine Senate, representing District 3.
In her later years, she enjoyed spending time in Marco Island, Florida, where she could entertain family and friends, as well as experience the tropical warmth reminiscent of her childhood in India.
Margaret was predeceased by her husband, her older brother, Dr. Peter Grant of St. Catharines, Ontario, and her special friend, Esther Orr Faulkner.
Survivors include her children, Kathryn (Mark Murphy) of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Frederick (Beth) of Houlton; and Anne Michaud (Michael) of Gray; grandchildren, Margaret and Andrew Michaud; Benjamin, Rebecca, and Alana Murphy; sister, Dorothy (Victor) Friesen of Rosthern, SK; sister-in-law, Virginia L. McLaughlin of Houlton; nieces, Page McCarthy of Worcester, MA; Lee McLaughlin of Belle Mead, NJ; Kate McLaughlin of Portland; Sarah Grant of Chapel Hill, NC; and Julia Grant of Toronto; and nephews, Robert Grant of Victoria, BC; and Andrew Grant of Ottawa.
Visiting hours will be held at Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park Street, Houlton, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2017. A private graveside service will follow
at a future date.
Those who wish may make a donation in her memory payable to the Cary Memorial Library, or charity of their choice in c/o Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730.
The family would like to thank the staff at Madigan Estates for their care of Margaret these past several years. Anne and Kathy are also indebted to Fred, Beth, and Aunt Gini for their loving local support.
Arrangements in care of Dunn Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed on the Life Tribute Wall at: dunnfuneral.com
