GORHAM- Margaret Augusta Karch Nygren, 86, of Gorham, ME, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2024, surrounded by her family after a long illness.
Margaret was born August 20, 1938 to August Julius Karch and Emily Kunst. She was raised in the tight-knit community of Queens Village, New York with her younger sister Barbara and younger brother Raymond. Margaret graduated high school from Lady of Wisdom Academy in Ozone Park, New York in 1956. She went on to attend Berkeley Secretarial School on Park Ave in New York City. One of her first jobs upon graduation was for a stockbroker on Wall Street. She was always so proud to say that she worked in an office at the top of the Empire State Building.
Margaret was raised as a Queens girl through and through, but she had a very special place in her heart for Camp Six Oaks in Riverhead, New York. Growing up she would spend her summers at Camp Six Oaks with cabins filled with close friends and family. In the summer of 1958, Margaret met the love of her life - John Hamilton Nygren. Hamilton, as he was known by his friends and family, was visiting his grandmother at Camp Six Oaks who was a good friend of Margaret’s mom.
Margaret and Hamilton eloped on December 30, 1961. They lived in Queens, New York until Hamilton’s work brought them to Pennsylvania where they welcomed their first son, James Nygren, in 1965. A few years later, after a move to Maryland, they settled in New Hampshire where they had their youngest son, Kirk Nygren in 1968. They raised their boys in a small town called Nottingham, New Hampshire across the street from the Fernald Family Farm where amazing neighbors became almost like family.
In 1982, Margaret and Hamilton purchased their first McDonalds franchise and moved their family to Gorham, Maine. Throughout their career, they owned a total of 5 McDonald’s restaurants and were beloved by their customers and employees. Margaret was known for pitching in where they needed her and her generous heart.
Margaret’s greatest treasures in life were her husband and sons. She was so proud of their character and accomplishments. Aside from her family, Margaret had a love for community. She was part of a close McDonald’s community that saw a need in the greater Portland area and pushed to start a nonprofit, Stand By Me, in 1990 which would go on to become the Ronald McDonald House of Portland which opened in May of 1995. Margaret stayed connected to this community and went on to volunteer at RMH events for many years. Margaret was a two time breast cancer survivor who was very supportive of the cause through her involvement with Casting for Recovery, fundraising events, and raising awareness. Those who knew Margaret knew her by the strength and determination she showed in all aspects of her life.
Margaret became a grandmother in 1998, a title she was immensely proud of. Her love for her grandchildren was evident in the way she cared so deeply about their accomplishments and adventures. Margaret and Hamilton retired to Key West, Florida where they lived for part of the year and made friends with so many wonderful people. She continued her service to her community by volunteering for the Key West garden club and the Butterfly Sanctuary. Margaret was an avid gardener, reader, traveler and knitter. She made beautiful quilts that once won third place at the Cumberland Fair. Margaret and Hamilton were happily married just short of 60 years when Hamilton passed away in December of 2020. They truly adored each other, and their strong marriage was an inspiration to their kids and grandchildren.
Margaret fostered friendships wherever she was — every place they moved she made lifelong friends. She sold her Gorham family home in 2023 to move into the Stroudwater Lodge in Westbrook. She found an amazing community of residents and care teams that brought her such joy in the last year of her life. Margaret lived a full, beautiful life. Until the very end she would say “I have good, happy memories. No regrets. None whatsoever. If I had to do it all over again, I’d do it just the way I did it.”
Margaret is predeceased by her parents August and Emily Karch, her brother Raymond and sister-in-law Michele Karch, and her beloved husband Hamilton Nygren. She is survived by her two children James (Cindy) Nygren of Scarborough and Kirk (Betsy) Nygren of Gorham; her grandchildren Taylor, Lindsey, Erica, and Kara Nygren; Noah, Sam, and Lily Nygren; her sister Barbara (Charles) Mahoney of Saint Augustine, Florida; and many loved nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Her family would like to extend their great appreciation for the loving care Margaret received at the end of her life by Stroudwater Lodge and Gentiva Hospice.
Visiting hours will be on Saturday, June 22 from 9:30 - 11:00 AM at The Summit Community Church, 26 Cressey Road, Gorham. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM that day at the church. Online condolence messages can be submitted at the funeral home website, www.mainefuneral.com
In lieu of flowers, donations in Margaret’s honor to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine are greatly appreciated by her family. Donations can be made on their website at https://rmhcmaine.org/ways-to-give/donate/ or sent to 250 Brackett St, Portland, ME 04102.