Margaret Ellen Wooten, a beloved mother, grandmother, teacher, and fierce friend, passed away peacefully at home on April 9, 2025, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Born in Alabama on September 7, 1949, Margaret's early years took her from New Jersey to England, then Houston, and finally Hinsdale, Illinois, where she graduated from high school. She often spoke of her 20s and 30s as years marked by hard lessons and difficult choices. Yet through resilience, courage, and a deep well of inner strength, she reshaped her life grounding it in love, purpose, and lasting connection.

She earned her master's degree in education and went on to teach in the Chicago Public Schools for nearly two decades, where she left a lasting mark on students and colleagues alike.

Most importantly, Margaret forged strong, loving relationships with her children, her grandchildren, and with a wide circle of family and chosen family, bonded not only by blood but by love and loyalty.

Margaret loved to host, cook, toast, laugh, dance, and spend time with the children and pets in her life. She was outspoken, sometimes forceful, and always passionate. She was eager to dive into political debates even when others might have preferred small talk.

Everyone who loved her found themselves at odds with her from time to time, usually over things we would now admit were trivial. But she loved even more fiercely than she fought, and was as quick to forgive as she was to take offense. Once she loved you, she never let you go.

Those who gathered to say goodbye in her final days were a testament to the depth of her love and loyalty. For most of us, old relationships fade. A son's former girlfriend, a long-ago roommate, an ex-husband and his new family quietly slip away. Not with Margaret. Her heart family endured. In her final days, they stood vigil at her bedside, surrounding her with the same unwavering love she had shown them.

Margaret was a devoted mother to Maurice Nelson, Derrick Nelson, and Zach Cohen, with whom she shared her home during the last years of her life. She welcomed Beth Nelson and Candace Cohen as daughters-in-law and took immense joy in being "Grandma Margaret" to Maya, Cheyenne, DJ, and baby Charlotte, expected on May 2, 2025.

She is survived by her brothers Michael, Marty, and Mark; her sister Marsha; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and cherished friends. Many of them are closer to one another because Margaret stayed so close to all of us. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Cecil and Helen Wooten.

A celebration of Margaret's life will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at her former home.

Her legacy lives not in monuments, but in the way she made people feel—known, needed, and loved. The truest tribute we can offer is to love others with the same depth and devotion that she showed every day of her life.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

-Romans 12:10 (NIV).