Margaret Johns
The Oakwood Lady Niners is a friendly, supportive group of women who enjoy playing golf and socializing after weekly golf games. We welcome golfers of all abilities, including beginners interested in improving while learning golf rules and etiquette in a fun-filled environment. We offer an option of teeing off at the 150 yard marker for those who want a shorter game. During the summer we play at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday mornings. Call Barbara Stewart at 480-883-3008 or visit the Oakwood Pro Shop for more information.
If the OLNGA had a poster girl, Margaret Johns would be a great candidate. She combines a warm, outgoing, optimistic personality with fashion flare and a wicked sense of humor. Born on an Indiana farm without electricity or running water, she grew up Indianapolis and began her work life there as a trained medical secretary. On the Road author Jack Kerouac had nothing on Margaret – in the early 1950s she bought a car and drove cross-country with a girlfriend, settling in Haight-Ashbury. She maintained her gutsy approach to life when she answered an ad seeking flight attendants for United Airlines. She was hired after an interview in which her legs were inspected. She donned hat and gloves and took to the skies. Her employment contract provided that she’d be grounded if she gained five pounds or married.
After meeting Chuck on a blind date, she did marry and his work in the oil industry took them around the country with stops in Montana, Utah, Michigan and Denver before they settled in Evergreen, Colorado. There, Margaret owned a knit shop that served as the town center for coffee klatches and gossip. More recently, they moved to Tucson and then to Sun Lakes two years ago. Margaret was fascinated by the wildlife she saw while living in the Tucson foothills – particularly the javelinas. “It’s a good thing they can’t see well”, she says, “or they’d never reproduce.”
On occasion over the years Margaret worked as a medical secretary – once for Ingrid Bergman’s first husband. She also worked part-time at Neiman Marcus and Saks for 10 years, advising women on wardrobe and skincare. She only retired as a skincare consultant this year.
Chuck died last year. Margaret feels fortunate to have had a 58-year marriage that was happy and fun, three daughters, two of whom survive, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Margaret’s hobbies demonstrate her creativity and artistic flair. A gifted knitter and seamstress, she also does oil paintings and paints furniture with scenes to look like French antiques. She enjoys yoga and loves playing bridge socially.
Margaret joined the OLNGA two years ago and this year volunteered to chair the committee collecting gift baskets for our annual fundraiser. She surprised and delighted everyone who contributed a basket by enclosing a tiny basket charm in a thank you note. The OLNGA welcomes new members. Volunteering to help with a league activity as Margaret did is a great way to get to know other members better and make new friends.