Mary Margaret Ogden Walker

Mary Margaret Ogden Walker, aged 78, of Athens, Georgia, passed away on August 1, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, wisdom, and dedication that will be cherished by all who knew her.

Born on June 16, 1947, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Mary was a beloved daughter of the late Frederick William and Clara May Buchanan Ogden. After thoroughly enjoying her high school days and making many lifelong friends, she attended the University of Arkansas where she met the love of her life in Jim Walker, by whom she would be cherished for 58 extraordinary years. After their marriage she continued her studies, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Houston.

Mary loved learning and organizing things, so after raising her boys it made perfect sense to restart her professional life at the Morris County Library. With characteristic humility she began as a lowly book-shelver, rising through the ranks until, after earning a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Rutgers University, she retired in 2014 as the Medical Reference Librarian serving a large and grateful staff at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital.

As a proud member of Delta Gamma Sorority, the Communications Workers of America, the Presbyterian Church in Morristown, and as a mother, Mary always sought out where she could be most useful, with a natural grace and empathy that drew out the best in those around her.

Mary’s preferred mode of transportation was the mid-engined sports car, of which she had two: a Porsche 914 and a Toyota MR2. In addition to these she was also known to set the occasional lap record in midget race cars. She taught her sons how to drive in inclement conditions, but this may have been an excuse to go drifting in a parking lot.

Mary was a gifted troubleshooter and designer: from fixing cars, laying out floor plans, repairing appliances, and home repair, she was an inspiration to those around her who sometimes felt like they couldn’t tackle a project. She was an excellent cook. One of her favorite recipes was the snickerdoodle, especially when prepared with her grandsons.

Mary is survived by her devoted husband, Jim Walker; her loving sons, Paul Lindsey Walker and his wife Dawn of Athens, Georgia, and James William Walker and his wife Heather of Rockaway Borough, New Jersey. She also leaves behind her cherished grandsons, Paul James Walker, James John Walker, Charles Ray William Walker, and Luke Ellison Walker, all of whom were a source of immense pride and joy for her. Mary is also survived by her brother, William Frederick Ogden, and his lifelong companion Ruth Smilan of Petaluma, California.

Mary was one of a kind in the very best sense. Her smile and the twinkle in her eye are irreplaceable. She made our lives better, richer, more fun, and we are so thankful for having known her.

Memorial services will be Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM at Lord and Stephens Chapel, EAST.