Fitness was a passion for Margaret “Maggie” Dobson. Her vehicle license plate read “Xercise.” Fitness drove her. It was the fuel that propelled her to a lifetime of activity that influenced and inspired others. 

Always on the move, Maggie was an athlete and a competitor in every aspect of life. She was a decorated runner, a successful businesswoman, and a wife and mother who motivated her family by never standing still. In the human race, she was an ultimate marathoner. 

Sadly, Maggie died on Friday, Nov. 1. At age 85, she succumbed to ovarian cancer after courageously battling the disease for more than two years. 

Maggie’s valiant fight didn’t surprise anyone who knew her. Through three rounds of chemotherapy and multiple surgeries, she maintained her morning regimen of 2-mile walks, occasional bike rides, and visits to the gym at Victoria Gardens in DeLand, where she and her husband, George, 87, have resided for more than 20 years. 

Seeing Maggie on the move was the norm in DeLand. In addition to golfing and bowling accolades, she garnered numerous age-group running medals and was a Master champion runner for women over 50. She ran two marathons and countless 10K and 5K races. 

Perhaps most prestigious on her running résumé, Maggie was selected in 1989 as Stetson University’s first cross-country coach. Because of her running reputation, Stetson basketball coaching legend Glenn Wilkes (also the athletic director) persuaded Maggie to take the coaching position because he said “she was the best person for the job.” 

Maggie was working as executive administrative assistant in the Stetson Provost Office, so adding cross-country coaching represented quite a workload. But her love for Stetson won out, and Maggie did double duty, coaching the Hatters’ men’s and women’s teams for four years, while continuing in the Provost Office. 

Maggie’s standing in the West Volusia business community was also notable. She was a longtime member of the Athens of Florida Business and Professional Women, and she served a term as club president and was its Woman of the Year in 1987, while working at Stetson. 

Stetson was more than a job for Maggie; she worked at the university for 23 years, and it was a major part of her life. All three of her children received degrees from Stetson. But the crowning glory came in 2000, when, at age 61, Maggie completed her bachelor’s of business administration degree. At commencement, the Stetson faculty, as a show of respect, stood and applauded when Maggie received her diploma. 

Besides recognition from basketball hall-of-famer Wilkes, Maggie’s athletic acumen was recognized by others, too. She was frequently remembered at local restaurants by former soccer players, from Volusia‘s youth leagues, where she and George refereed for years. She was a FIFA referee for 25 years and a longtime youth soccer coach. 

Running, walking, bicycling, golf, pickleball, jazzercise, you name it, Maggie would “Just Do It.” Her competitive spirit knew no bounds, whether she was bowling in local leagues or playing cornhole with family. Her fitness exploits repeatedly wowed her family, friends and those in her community, including the time she made a hole-in-one at Victoria Hills golf course. 

Maggie’s love of sports was not restricted to participation. From when she was a girl in London, she was a rabid fan of English Premier League soccer team Chelsea. She rarely missed a chance to watch her Chelsea “Blue,” even into the final days of her illness. She was also a loyal fan of the Miami Dolphins, and, of course, all Stetson Hatters teams. 

Maggie was born Margaret Grace Munday, in 1939, in London, England. Because of World War II, she was evacuated to Reading, England. She had fond memories of delivering newspapers in London, where she spent many girlhood summers. 

After schooling, she volunteered for three years in the Women’s Royal Air Force. Not long after, she met George, while playing darts with her dad at a local pub (Always competitive!). 

She and George married in 1962, and they entered the United States in 1966. 

In their retirement years, George and Maggie found a love for cruise vacations. They became high-level loyalty members on Royal Caribbean, and they cruised the entire Caribbean, Alaska, the Northeast U.S., Canada and Europe. Their hallmark cruise was a journey through the Panama Canal. Of course, Maggie wore out the walking tracks on all those ships. 

Maggie is survived by her husband, George Dobson, DeLand; daughter, Elaine Dobson Lerner and son-in-law, Lee Lerner, Sanford; daughter, Kerry Dobson, DeLand; and son, Craig Dobson and daughter-in-law, Ihssane French Dobson, Lake Mary. Also surviving are numerous loving relatives in England. 

Maggie‘s final active days were spent as you might imagine, walking in Victoria Gardens, with George, her husband of 62 years, at her side, in every way imaginable. 

Maggie requested no memorial service. However, if the spirit of her fitness moves you, sign up or make a donation to her favorite DeLand run/walk event: https://MeStrong.net/ 

The next time someone is wearing Stetson green, Chelsea blue, or running or walking, think of Maggie. Or better yet, take a few strides in her memory.