FRANKLIN
Mary Margaret (Partenheimer) Webb, 87, passed away on January 11, 2018. She was born in Crawford County on July 29, 1930 to Rollia & Gladys (Wright) Partenheimer and was the eldest of five daughters.
She married the love of her life Denzil Webb on September 4, 1948. They were blessed with three children, Stephen, Catherine & Judy, as well as 5 grandchildren & 10 great-grandchildren.
Mary Margaret attended Needham Elementary School and graduated from Franklin High School in 1948. In 1959 she graduated from Franklin College, cum laude, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She received a Master’s in Elementary Ed from Butler University (1964), a Specialist Degree in Elementary Education, magna cum laude (1979) and a Doctorate in School Administration, magna cum laude (1983) from Indiana University.
Mary Margaret began teaching at Northwood School in 1959, serving as a third grade teacher and later principal for 32 years. She was ‘born’ to teach and loved teaching third grade students. Mary Margaret would say that third grade is the perfect age to help them learn all they can! They are ‘eager’ to learn about everything!
Mary Margaret had a ‘Jack-of-Trades’ and ‘Master-of-None’ personality. Growing up she lived on a farm with her family in Needham Township. At a young age she learned to help with all the chores necessary to keep the farm running well. She learned, as a child, to play the piano and enjoyed using this talent in teaching her children to love music. She learned to sew, quilt, knit, cross stitch, and needlepoint and used those talents to spoil many family members and friends. She also learned, along with her husband, how to fly and land an airplane.
In retirement, Mary volunteered at the Dollens One Room School teaching kids about Indiana history as well as at the Needham and Webb Schools. As philanthropists, Denzil and Mary Margaret funded Scholarships and Fellowships at Franklin College, Indiana University, Butler University, and the University of Indianapolis.
Survivors include her children, Stephen & Judy Webb, 5 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, & three sisters, Myrl (Leonhard) Pahl, Joan (Harold) Snoddy, & Judy Cummings.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Denzil (2002), daughter, Catherine (2012), and sister, Eva (Larry) Beard.
Pastor Gerald Holmes will conduct a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, February 3, at 2 pm at the Northwood Elementary School, 965 Grizzly Cub Drive, in Franklin. Friends may call at 1 pm until the service begins and stay for a reception following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made any of the following: Franklin College, Denzil & Mary Margaret Webb Endowed Scholarship, 101 Branigin Blvd., Franklin, IN 46131; Arthritis National Research Foundation, 5354 E. 2nd Street, Suite 201, Long Beach, CA 90803 (curearthritis.org); or Dolens One Room Schoolhouse, Webb Elementary School, Attention: Kathy Rynerson, 1400 Webb Court, Franklin, IN 46131.
