Margaret Gleason Zehner

MARGARET G. ZEHNER

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Margaret Gleason Zehner on Sunday, 20 July 2025 in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. She was 95. Known for her entire life as Mardie, she was born on 12 May 1930 to Katherine Mildred Gleason (nee Mann) and Douglas Gleason.

Throughout life, she was a positive person who always looked on the bright side and never complained. She embraced people of every possible stripe as a non-judgemental and supportive friend. She was intrepid and always appreciative of the gifts that life had provided her. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

Mardie was born in Ashland, Massachusetts and graduated from Lexington High School before attending Wellesley College from which she graduated as a Music major in 1952. After raising her four sons, she attended Villanova Law School, graduating with a JD Degree in 1992.

Mardie was predeceased by her two brothers, Douglas Gleason and David Gleason as well as by her ex-husband, Louis A. Zehner, Jr. She is survived by her four sons: Jon of London, England, Mark of Glenside, Pennsylvania, Scott of Friday Harbor, Washington and Kent of Gladwyne, Pennsylvania as well as their wives (Carlyn, Peggy, Tori and Rayenne) whom she warmly embraced as integral members of the family. In addition, she is survived by 11 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Mardie, with her family, moved from Boston to San Francisco and Denver before finally moving to Radnor which is where she spent most of her adult life. In addition to raising her four sons, Mardie was heavily involved in the community as she couldn’t resist being engaged in causes that mattered to her. This included serving as President of the League of Women Voters of Radnor Township and serving as President of the Main Line Unitarian Church of which she was one of the earliest members. She always enjoyed playing her piano and listening to classical music. She maintained a rotation of leadership and service roles with several Main Line classical music organizations, including the Music Coterie, a group of continuous learning enthusiasts, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Her leadership roles and active participation in organizations were all foundations to her many enduring friendships.

Her family wishes to especially thank the staff at Dunwoody Village in Newtown Square for the warm care that they provided to Mardie as her health deteriorated. We also wish to thank the “Goddesses”, a tight-knit group of Mardie’s female friends who provided wonderful support for each other over many years.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Service on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Main Line Unitarian Church, 816 South Valley Road, Devon, Pennsylvania 19333.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be sent to the Main Line Unitarian Church.