Margaret Kathleen "Margie" Braff

Margaret Kathleen Kallberg Braff, age 85, of Gainesville, died on January 10, 2022 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, following a short illness.

Margie was born on July 24, 1936, in Brainerd, Minnesota. She was the second of four children in an Irish Catholic family, and her parents instilled in her with a great faith and love of learning. She was valedictorian of her high school class, going on to attend Mankato State College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree and becoming a Registered Nurse.

While her formal nursing career ended after she became a mother, she was often the ‘go-to’ in the neighborhood for anyone whose child, pet or local wildlife had been injured. She once rescued a distressed pelican that had a fishhook stuck to its bill and years later would still cry with laughter as she told the tale.

She cut and styled her own hair, and her children’s too. Fortunately, she was fairly adept with the scissors, and all her children still have their ears. She kept fit by mowing the lawn and taking early morning walks in the company of a neighbor or friend. In her 70s, she purchased an exercise bicycle and, most days, would cycle 20 miles while watching baking and game shows on TV.

She was a big fan of coffee yogurt, strawberries, whipped cream and anything that included ‘salted caramel’ on the label.

She was devoted to her family and worked tirelessly in the local community, serving on the Hall County Citizens Review Panel and volunteering for Good News at Noon, Northeast Georgia Medical Center Auxilliary and Center Point. She co-chaired the Gainesville Booster Club and was an Honorary Graduate of Gainesville High School in 2011.

Her faith was a fundamental part of her life and she poured herself into St Michael Catholic Church, where she set up and attended daily mass as well as helping with weddings and funerals.

Of all her activities and accomplishments, being ‘GrandMargie’ to her four grandchildren was the one that gave her the most joy.

Margie is now reunited with her husband & best friend Bob (after 2,935 days without him). She leaves a legacy of love for her children Kimberly Braff, Michael Braff, Kathleen and Kevin Brown (all of Gainesville) and Kourtney & Simon Harper (London, UK); her oh-so-beloved grandchildren Carson Brown (Charleston, SC), Parks Brown (Charlotte, NC), Davis Brown (Atlanta) and Grace Brown (Gainesville); her siblings Mary Isabelle Goettl (Charlotte, NC), Bill & Liz Kallberg (Prior Lake, MN) Jean Krauss (Hudson, WI), many nieces and nephews and a community of friends of all ages who loved and laughed with her.

A funeral mass will take place on Friday January 14th at 4 PM at Saint Michael Catholic Church in Gainesville, Georgia, and will be shown live on Facebook (accessible through http://saintmichael.cc).

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Vincent de Paul Society (c/o St. Michael Catholic Church, 1440 Pearce Circle, Gainesville, GA 30501) or to a charity of your choice.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home & Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.

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