Margaret Ann Knapp Nixon

Margaret Ann Knapp Nixon, age 87, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2024. She was born on January 6, 1937, in Newton, Iowa, to Orville Burton Knapp and Margaret Alberta Firman. She had one younger sister, Beth Clintsman.

In her early life, Margaret learned to play the cello, which earned her a scholarship at Monmouth College, Illinois. She graduated magna cum laude in 1959, with admission into Phi Beta Kappa.

From there, with encouragement from her college professor, Margaret attended Harvard Divinity School, where she met Charles “Chuck” Nixon. In 1961, she graduated cum laude with a Master’s in Theology. She then worked to put Chuck through his final year at Harvard. They were married in June of 1962.

Chuck was then hired at Central Presbyterian Church in Montclair, NJ. In Montclair, the couple had their first two children, Laura and Claire. In 1971, they moved to Seaford, Delaware, where Chuck became the minister at Seaford Presbyterian Church. About a month after arriving, their third child, Peter, was born.

While Chuck was the minister at Seaford Presbyterian Church, Margaret ran the educational programming, led study groups, taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, coordinated church events, and was Chuck’s right hand — reviewing his sermons, helping him with pastoral care, and being his sounding board as he established the Turnabout Counseling Center. They were an inseparable team.

Margaret played the cello in a local classical ensemble known as the Heritage Trio. She also played in orchestras for musicals performed at Seaford Senior High School, as well as cello solos at the church.

In 1977, Margaret began working as the office manager at St. John’s Methodist Church in Seaford. At first part-time, she became so essential that she was offered a full-time position, where she worked for many years. She also mentored women who were training to become ministers and continued to teach and collaborate on programs with Chuck at Seaford Presbyterian Church.

Chuck passed away suddenly in 1995. After wrestling with the effects of deep grief, Margaret returned to school to become a bereavement counselor. She received her Master of Science in Clinical Counseling from Wilmington College in 2000, transforming her own experience to help others. Continuing her focus on helping those in need, Margaret later worked as a project manager for Habitat for Humanity and provided dedicated service to the charity Love INC.

After retiring, Margaret moved to the Manor House in Seaford, where she had many friends.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and Orville; her sister, Beth; her husband, Chuck; and her niece, Stephanie Lockling. She is survived by her three children; her two grandchildren, Sarah and Olivia Dawson; her niece, Tara Haynes and her grand-niece Meaghan Clintsman; her grand-niece, Gwen Megaw; and her grand-nephews, Alex Megaw and Jaron Lockling. She is also survived by her best friend Jean Gandek, who has accompanied her on her final journey through life, and has been an invaluable source of comfort, humor, and love.

A Celebration of Life service will be held August 30 at Seaford Presbyterian Church, 701 Bridgeville Highway, in Seaford, Delaware. There will be a public viewing from 1-2 p.m. followed by the service at 2 p.m.

Margaret always said, “At my funeral, I want people to wear bright colors!” For those attending services, please feel free to do so in her honor.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the following organizations:

Seaford Presbyterian Church

701 Bridgeville Highway

Seaford, DE, 19973

Love INC of Mid-Delmarva

703 East King Street

Seaford, DE 19973

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity

PO Box 759

Georgetown, DE 19947

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