The Inspiration for Marge Simpson Dies at 94

By NIGEL JAQUISS

Margaret Groening, the mother of the mother of Matt Groening, the Portlander who created of The Simpsons has died in Portland at age 94. 

The names of Margaret "Marge" Groening and her husband, Homer, who died in 1996, will live on forever as part of American culture, and in Simpsons reruns. (Although at least in the photo in her obit, Marge did not really sport a blue beehive hairdo).

The announcement of her death was made in a paid obituary in today's Oregonian.

She was born Margaret Wiggum; the obituary reports she grew up in Everett, Wash., where she was high school valedictorian and Miss Everett.

"Margaret's highest honor was being named May Queen of Linfield College," the obit says. "She graduated from Linfield in 1941 and married classmate Homer Groening, whom she chose because he made her laugh the most."

WWeek 2015

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