Maggie Lee

On Thursday, July 26th the City of Northfield’s downtown merchants and community members honored local icon Maggie Lee during the annual Crazy Daze and Taste of Northfield events.  Maggie has been writing columns for the Northfield news for over 60 years, and is truly a Northfield treasure.  Maggie is known for wearing purple and her love of cats.  Maggie is now 91 and has recently had some health issues.  Maggie has been a long time supporter of the Prairie’s Edge Humane Society and has adopted cats from us in the past.  We wanted to show her how much we appreciate all that she has done not only for PEHS but for her community, so we teamed up with the Northfield News and held a cat adoption event called “Meows for Maggie” in conjunction with the other July 26th events and the “Wear Purple for Maggie” day.  We collected sponsorships of shelter cats in Maggie’s honor from several of her admirers. 

Along with the sponsorships and sales of other merchandise we raised over $700, thanks to Maggie Lee, which will be used to help the homeless cats at Prairie’s Edge Humane Society.  We were also lucky enough to be interviewed on WCCO-TV in a story about Maggie.  Here are the special dedications and sponsorships from “Meows for Maggie”.

Viv and Jim Nystuen sponsorship of four cats, Nina, Cleo, Izzy and Midnight in honor of Maggie Lee.

Wendy Placko sponsorship of LadyBug in honor of Maggie Lee, “Thanks for speaking for those who cannot speak!”

Judy Dirks sponsorship of Uno in honor of Maggie Lee, “Congratulations Maggie – bless you for your love and care for cats.”

Susan Hvistendahl sponsorship of Grace in honor of Maggie Lee, “No purple cats here so I chose a calico. Northfield owes so much to Maggie.  Her legacy will live on forever in her hometown.”

Diane Splettstoeszer sponsorship of Parker in honor of Maggie Lee.

Laura Zimmerman sponsorship of Hungry in honor of Maggie Lee, “Maggie – I hope I can accomplish as much in my life as you did – this kitty can count as step one!”

Dixon Bond sponsorship of Ollie in honor of Maggie Lee, “In honor of Maggie, with love for her and cats!”

Barbara Jean Rippley sponsorship of Onyx in honor of Maggie Lee, “We appreciate all you have done for Northfield and your loving care for cats.”

Paul and Marie –Louise Wehling sponsorship of Godric in honor of Maggie Lee, “In honor of Maggie from Paul (12), Marie-Louise (7 ½) and our cat Thais.”

Barbara and Arnold Heubrock sponsorship of Hookey in honor of Maggie Lee.

Pat Lamb and Ele Hansen sponsorship of Prim in honor of Maggie Lee, “Hopefully Maggie can feel the love from her fans in the Northfield community.  We are among those who love cats and love Maggie.”

Shelley (Kubitz) Mahannah sponsorship of Skylar in honor of Maggie Lee, “I cannot adopt a cat but I am happy to sponsor a cat in Maggie’s name.  I worked with Maggie at the News from November 2005 – November 2007.  She is such a delight.”

Thank you Maggie for all that you have done for your community and for the love of cats.  Your numerous Newspaper columns which recounted the antics of your own cats no doubt enticed others to bring a cat into their home as part of their family as well.

We are still accepting shelter cat sponsorships in honor of Maggie Lee.  If you would like to sponsor a shelter cat with a special dedication to Maggie, please send a check payable to Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, 1201 Cannon Circle, Faribault, MN 55021.  Include your dedication to Maggie.  All sponsorships and dedications will be posted on our website.