Margaret Helen Safina

Margaret Helen Safina

Parnell

Margaret Helen Safina was born August 22, 1952, in Memphis, Tennessee, the daughter of Leo Jack and Mary Catherine (Sullivan) Johnson. She graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1971. Margaret enlisted in the United States Navy in 1971 -1974. Margaret was united in marriage to Vito Safina on December 28, 1972 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Parnell. After the marriage they moved around due to the Navy and settled down in Parnell in 1983. She had worked as a daycare provider at the W4C’s for 34 years retiring in May of 2025. Margaret enjoyed knitting, crocheting, tending to plants and flowers, cats, gambling and especially spending time with her children and grandchildren. Margaret died Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Rose Haven Nursing Home in Marengo at the age of 73 years.

She is survived by four children, Tony Safina of Parnell, Michael (Kara) Safina of Elk Grove, Illinois, David (Andrea) Safina of Huxley, and Mary Ann (Todd) Wehner of Williamsburg; 12 grandchildren, Trevor, Lorelai, Laylah, Layahna, Lola, Jackson, Bradley, Marshall, Brynlee, Meridith, Garrus and Collette; a brother Bill (Linda) Johnson of Iowa City; and an uncle Daniel Sullivan of Iowa City. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vito on September 5, 2025 and a brother Dan Johnson.

Funeral mass was held 1:30 pm on Monday, October 13, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in North English. Burial is at St. Joseph Cemetery in Parnell. Visitation was held Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at the Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg. There was a prayer service at 2:00. A memorial fund has been established for the W4Cs (Williamsburg Community Child Care Center). Messages and tributes may be directed to www.powellfuneralhomes.com.