Flintstone, Maryland · Former Loyola Retreat Center
Can we preserve this retreat as a place that honors God and carries forward Margee Iddings’ legacy of welcome and spiritual renewal?
Could you help lead this effort? Friends, family, original supporters, and people who could help: let’s talk.
A life that continues to matter
Minister. Teacher. Retreat leader.
A person who made room for others.
Margee created Rising Phoenix as a place for retreat and spiritual renewal. Her work reached beyond one property: she served as a Presbyterian minister, spiritual director, religious educator, and consultant, and ministered in Presbyterian and United Church of Christ congregations.
A 2016 church biography identifies her as the author of Welcomed and Welcoming and Spiritual Disciplines that Change the Brain. Read the church’s biography
The tributes shared by people who knew her bring that work into focus. Lynn Stanton-Hoyle remembered a mentor who made time to listen as she navigated ministry and motherhood. Susan R. Andrews recalled Margee bringing a pastor and congregation together with creativity and wisdom. Yena K. Hwang and John Wimberly described a teacher and role model whose influence stayed with them.
These recollections help explain why this place matters: people carried what they learned from Margee into their own lives and ministries. Her family, friends, and original supporters are invited to deepen this story and help shape what a living tribute could become.
In the words of those who remembered her
These historical Facebook tributes remember Margee’s life and ministry. They were written before this effort to preserve the property.
“A colleague of courage, blessing, and the best show upper for all of us!”
A generous mentor
“Always generous with her time and her listening ear and always respectful as she shared her reflections, life experiences and wisdom with me”
Lynn remembered Margee’s guidance when she was a young pastor and mother, finding her way through both callings. In another tribute, she gave thanks for Margee’s life, love, faith, courage, and wise counsel.
Bringing pastor and people together
“she wove us together as Pastor and people with creativity, wisdom, and liturgical wisdom.”
Susan recalled Margee serving as Moderator when Susan was installed at Bradley Hills in 1989. She called her a mentor and saint, and later remembered her as a wise, courageous, creative woman.
A teacher of life and ministry
“She has been one of my best teachers of life and ministry.”
Yena recalled Margee saying, “My peace is at the center of the universe,” and wrote that she would feel the “presence of her absence.” Her remembrance speaks to a teacher whose influence continued beyond their time together.
A role model to others
“Margee was a giant in our Presbytery and a role model to many, including me. Few make a difference the way she did.”
Unable to attend the celebration because he was out of town, John offered thanks to God for Margee’s life and ministry.
Work carried out with grace
“She did what she did well and gracefully. I appreciated the work she did before me, with me, and after me.”
Jim’s recollection honors both the quality of Margee’s work and the way she carried it out alongside others.
Wisdom at a needed moment
“Thankful for her life, and for the wise and thoughtful council she gave when I really needed it. Prayers for her family and friends.”
Lyn expressed gratitude for Margee’s life and for the wise, thoughtful counsel she offered at a time of need, and held her family and friends in prayer.
Remembered in prayer
“I’m very sorry to learn that Margee passed away. I was not aware and I will now include her in my prayers.”
Marco’s comment records his sorrow on learning of her death and his intention to remember her in prayer.
Wishing to be there
“I sure wish I could have been there....”
Beverly expressed her wish to have been present for the gathering in Margee’s memory.
Quoted excerpts and attributed summaries from Facebook tribute screenshots shared by Adam. Names are shown as they appeared in the comments; repeat appearances have been combined. These remembrances do not indicate the writers’ participation in the current preservation proposal.
Together, these memories suggest a legacy of listening, generous mentorship, courageous faith, and helping people find their place in community. A future for Rising Phoenix could carry those qualities into everyday hospitality, retreat, and prayer. Her family, friends, and original supporters should help shape what that means.
More memories, photographs, and corrections are welcome in the .
Adam began this independent effort to help preserve the retreat’s spiritual purpose, with no aim of personal gain. He would not be its owner or ongoing operator. The hope is for a trust or another lasting arrangement to protect that purpose for future generations. Could you take the reins, or help share the responsibility?
The proposal has no established buyer, committed funding, or trust. This site does not speak for Margee’s family, Loyola University Maryland, or the seller.