Margie N. Athy

Margie Nan Athy, a cherished daughter of Sand Gap, Kentucky, and a steadfast supporter of her adopted hometown of Springfield, Ohio, passed away peacefully at her home on November 24, 2025, at the age of 85.

Born in the rolling hills of rural Kentucky, Margie grew up with a love of stories and a curiosity about the world beyond her hometown. After graduating from Fairview High School in Dayton, Ohio, she launched a distinguished career as an executive secretary, supporting CEOs at Dayton‑Walther Corporation, Micro Devices, Inc., and several other firms. Her professionalism took her far afield—she spent time working for Freeport‑McMoRan in Papua New Guinea and delighted in travel, exploring the landscapes and cultures of Ireland, Canada, and Italy.

In the early 1980s, Margie and her husband, Richard Athy, relocated to Springfield, Ohio, where she would spend the remainder of her life. Richard predeceased her.

In Springfield, Margie’s heart belonged to the community. She served on the Board of Directors for the Springfield Women’s Town Club, helping nurture the city’s vibrant arts scene by sponsoring theater productions, attending lawn concerts, and supporting local museums and festivals. A devoted member of the Town Club book club, she was an avid reader and a poet who penned verses about her parents and her upbringing in Kentucky. Those who knew her recall her favorite maxim: “Speak well of Springfield or say nothing.”

Margie is survived by her son, Dusty Hoefer and his wife, Diane; her step‑children, Lisa, Debbie, and Jayme; her brother, Roy Brockman and wife, Vera; and countless friends and colleagues whose lives she touched through her generosity, wit, and unwavering optimism. She was predeceased by her parents, Roberta and Lester Brockman, and her sister, Doris Adler.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Springfield Women’s Town Club on January 17, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. In honor of Margie’s dedication to the community, donations may be made to benefit the Women’s Town Club.

She left us with a final, hopeful line written in her own hand:

“I’m off to my next big adventure.”

May her spirit continue to inspire curiosity, kindness, and a love for the places we call home.