Margaret Groening, who inspired cartoon character Marge Simpson, dies

PORTLAND, Ore., May 7 (UPI) -- Margaret Groening, who married one cartoonist, gave birth to another and inspired the cartoon character Marge Simpson, has died in Oregon. She was 94.

Margaret Groening, who didn't go by "Marge" even though her son Matt gave that name to the matriarch of his cartoon family, "The Simpsons," died peacefully in her sleep April 22, an obituary carried in The (Portland) Oregonian Monday stated.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer, and a daughter, Patricia. Besides Matt, she is survived by her daughters Lisa and Maggie; another son, Mark; a brother, Arnold; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Margaret taught high school English before starting her family.

"She made this world a better place! And her legacy as 'Marge' will live forever," one commenter wrote on The Oregonian's online obituary guest book. "Matt Groening has created such a loving depiction of her! You will live on in our hearts, Marge 'Simpson.'"

Dan Heims of Canby, who spent time drawing cartoons with Matt Groening when they were in high school, remembered Margaret as "just a wonderful lady," The Oregonian said.

"His mom was just a sweetheart," said Heims, 59.