Margaret A. œMarge  Thomas, 88, of Wooster, founder of Montessori in Wooster, died on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at the Apostolic Christian Home in Rittman.
Marge was born in Chicago to Herbert and Elfriede Egloff Haerting. Her mother died when she was six, after which she was raised by her father and adopted mother, Arlie Clifton Haerting. Marge married Richard œDick  Thomas in December of 1955. He preceded her in death in 2011.
She began her teaching career in a traditional elementary setting in Sycamore, Illinois. In 1971, she became enamored with the Montessori method and decided that œMontessori was all that I wanted for myself or my child.  In 1984, after completing her Montessori training, and serving as associate teacher in two schools, Marge founded Children ™s House Montessori, the first Montessori school in Wooster. She was head of school and lead teacher until June of 2000.
In 2002, Marge, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Wayne County, became their Director of Religious Exploration. She brought Montessori concepts to her role as DRE through the Spirit Play curriculum.
Marge was a champion of preserving historic buildings in Wooster, working to save Beall Avenue School and Cornerstone Elementary.
She was also a committed member of the AAUW Wooster Branch.
Marge is survived by her daughter, Colleen (Rodrigo Torres) Thomas of Crockett, CA and other extended family members. Marge was preceded in death by her parents and a half brother Eric Haerting.
A Celebration of Marge ™s Life will be held on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at 10:00 AM at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Wayne County, 3186 Burbank Rd., Wooster with the Rev. Walter Clark and Rev. Dr. V. Elaine Strawn officiating. The service will live streamed on the UUFWC YouTube page at   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpm3gKeWbG5xcsCGoHmcvKQ
Private interment will take place at Foxfield Preserve, a green cemetery in Wilmot, Ohio.
Friends will be received following the service at the church. Due to health concerns, the family requests that friends refrain from wearing scented products. Masks will be required inside the church.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be directed to Ohio ™s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com

Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be directed to Ohio ™s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691.

Service
A Celebration of Marge ™s Life will be held on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at 10:00 AM at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Wayne County, 3186 Burbank Rd., Wooster with the Rev. Walter Clark and Rev. Dr. V. Elaine Strawn officiating. The service will live streamed on the UUFWC YouTube page at   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpm3gKeWbG5xcsCGoHmcvKQ.    Due to health concerns, the family requests that friends refrain from wearing scented products. Masks will be required inside the church.

Visitation
Friends will be received following the service at the church. Due to health concerns, the family requests that friends refrain from wearing scented products. Masks will be required inside the church.