Obituary of Margaret Joan Bogard

AIKEN, SC – Margaret “Marge” Joan Bogard, 86, beloved wife of 58 years to the late John Hoyte Bogard, passed away, December 16, 2019.

Marge was born in New Castle, Lawrence County, PA., the daughter of the late Frank James Smilek and Anna Dorothy Gonda. While young, Marge’s family moved several times, and she became a native of Ellwood City, Lawrence County, PA, living a short time in Ellport and then, at 11-years old, moved to a small farm on Wiley Hill. Her parents (ahead of their time…) supported (teenager) Marge traveling to and working a summer job picking tobacco in Connecticut. Marge became a Registered Nurse (RN) educated and trained by the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill’s Nursing School at Providence Hospital, Beaver Falls, PA. Marge first worked at Providence Hospital, initially OB/GYN, then other clinical disciplines through the years, retiring as a traveling Home Health Nurse, with The Medical Center of Beaver County. Marge dearly loved serving our neighbor’s healthcare needs throughout Beaver and Lawrence Counties. Marge was a wife and Mother and enjoyed her family, raising her three children and ensuring she shared her love of adventure, especially around the water with them.

Marge and John retired to Little River, SC from Beaver Falls, PA (Chippewa Township) enjoying life together at the beach for 11 years. They were members of Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Church in PA and Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in North Myrtle Beach, SC. After John passed, and once the beach home was sold, Marge moved into her son, Kenny’s, home in Lexington, SC. Marge’s final years were spent with Cheryl Kyle, her daughter, who provided her care for more than 8-years, in Aiken, SC, completing her journey and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s at Harbor Chase of Aiken Memory Care Facility. In a wonderful turn of events, Father Gregory Wilson, Marge’s Priest in North Myrtle Beach, SC, now leads the Parishioners of St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Aiken, SC and tended to Mother’s spiritual needs. Her family wishes to thank all family, friends, Harbor Chase employees and Harbor Chase residents (and their families), who visited with, cared for and prayed over her for the past two years.

Survivors include her brother Franklin R. Smilek (Denise), Biloxi, MS, sister Ann Delores Smilek Clausnitzer, Alliance, OH, daughter, Cheryl Ann Bogard Kyle, (Larry), Aiken, SC; two sons, Brian J. Bogard, (Beth), Pasadena, MD and Kenneth “Hoyt” Bogard, Lexington, SC; grandchildren Matthew G. Kyle (Elizabeth Anne), Tokyo, Japan, Barrett J. Bogard and Braxton L. Bogard, Pasadena, MD; great-grandchildren Gabriel G. Kyle and Izabella Anne Kyle, Tokyo, Japan.

In addition to her beloved husband and parents, Marge was preceded in death by one of her brothers, Thomas J. Smilek (Hummelstown, PA).

A memorial service will be held at noon on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at the Old Historic St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, Park Ave., 203 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801.

Inurnment will be her “Niche” next to John in the Columbarium and Prayer Garden of Our Lady Star of The Sea Catholic Church, North Myrtle Beach, SC.

In lieu of memorial contributions or flowers please consider donating, in memory of Marge Bogard, to the charity of your choice. Thank you.

The Historic George Funeral Home, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com