Obituary
Margaret Anne Haviland, 66, of Minneapolis, died Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, at home from complications with cancer.
A celebration of life for Margaret will be held in October. The Minnesota Cremation Society handled her wishes to be cremated.
Born May 14, 1958, in Ticonderoga, NY, Margaret was the daughter of Rev. Douglas and Elizabeth Haviland. She lived in Schroon Lake, NY and Southwest Harbor, ME before the family moved to Ames, IA in 1962.
Margaret’s love for classical music appeared at an early age as she played the violin and the piano. A 1976 Ames High School graduate, Margaret was active in dance, drama and orchestra. She earned All-State Orchestra honors her senior year. Shortly after high school, Margaret’s musical focus changed to the viola.
Margaret attended McCallister College and Northwestern University before moving to Iowa City where she earned a scholarship to play viola in the University of Iowa Orchestra. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in music in 1986. Margaret earned a master’s degree in music from Arizona State University in 1994. She studied, taught and performed music while attending universities or working.
After her academic career, Margaret played viola for a year in the Mexico State Symphony Orchestra. She later performed with the Joffrey Ballet, Spoleto Festival USA and the Arizona Opera Company. She played viola with different symphonies in Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota. She was a member of the Twin Cities Musicians Union.
In 1993, Margaret moved to Minneapolis where she began teaching violin and viola at the MacPhail Center for Music. She also taught viola at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. At the start of 2019, Margaret stopped teaching because of health issues. She moved to Millers Landing Senior Living that November.
At the start of 2020, Margaret met Jim Briggs, who was also living at Millers. Their first official date was March 1, 2020, at Raag Progressive Indian Food in Minneapolis. Margaret’s and Jim’s health improved, so they moved to an apartment at Expo later that year. Jim was Margaret’s partner and cared for her when cancer returned. He spurred Margaret to become a Minnesota Vikings football fan, something that didn’t seem possible. Margaret enjoyed reading, riding her bike and outdoor activities.
Margaret is survived by her partner Jim of Minneapolis; her sister Susan of New York City; her brothers Bruce (Glenda Kirk) of Knoxville, TN, Andrew (Patricia) of Oakton, VA, David (Elizabeth Almgren) of Stockholm, Sweden, Stephen (Curtis Ma) of Seattle, and Mark (Jackie) of Minneapolis; and nieces and nephews Aaron, Sarah, Ethan, Linnéa, Vendela, Sophia and Adrienne.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Timothy, who died Sept. 11, 2001, in the World Trade Center.
Gallery
Memory wall
I first met Margaret at Miller's Landing before she and my dad (Jim Briggs) moved into their place at the Expo. It brought me joy seeing my dad with someone so kind and caring who he could share his time with. Whether they were out walking the stone arch bridge or grabbing a bite at The Bowl after her doctor visits, they were simply happy.
There will be a piece forever missing from our lives, but there will not be a piece forgotten.
I live at Windsor Oaks, Ames, Iowa, where your parents lived until they needed more care and moved.
At every potluck supper we had, your mom would be always praying for Margaret.
At the time the majority of us had no idea who Margaret was until we asked her.
I met three of the brothers when they were cleaning out their folks apartments dividing things up.
May God be with you all now and in the days, months, and years to come.
Every 9–11 I think of your brother and everyone else who died in that horrific Terrorism attack I'm
Kathy had called me to let me know, and I had to go teach shortly after talking with her. My student that evening came in and we started learning Minuet 2 (Suzuki book 1). The first piece I learned with Margaret was Minuet 2 in September 2002. Everything I share with my students is shaped by her. As I was telling my student the words Margaret used to assist us with a tricky rhythm, “strawberry apple pie,” I was reminded again of how much of her wisdom is integrated into my own playing and teaching. I use the dice and other teaching tools she gave me every day.
I’m thinking of you and know that this must be a difficult time. Margaret was so happy these past several years – it was wonderful to see her enjoying life and I’m so thankful she had someone like you to share it with.
Art and I send our condolences to all the Havilands.
Celebration
3400 Dupont Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN 55408
1:00 p.m.
