Margaret “Migsie” Goodman Richlin died peacefully with her family by her side on April 23, 2025. Migsie was an active volunteer and philanthropist. Along with her husband, Gar, she established the Migsie and Gar Richlin Family Fund in 1986, an endowed, unrestricted fund to provide support of nonprofits in Howard County in perpetuity. Additionally, Migsie was an original founder of the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County, one of the Community Foundation’s largest and most-active funds. She was a long-time donor, volunteer, member of the WGC’s Advisory Board and WGC cheerleader for many years.
Born in 1945 to Judy and Stanley Goodman, Migsie was raised in South Orange, NJ. After college, Migsie married her high school sweetheart and the two relocated to Columbia, MD. She became a Mother to Kim & Jenny in her mid 20s, ultimately finding her role as Mother as important as any other aspect in her very full life. She attended countless school plays and sporting events, finding immense joy in raising her daughters. Her warmth and compassion made her a favorite among her children’s friends, often acting as a surrogate mom and confidante to friends both young and old. Her later role as “Mimi”-grandmother to Isabel, Abby and Lucy-would ultimately bring her profound joy as well.
Migsie was an accomplished student with degrees from Radcliffe College, Harvard University and the University of Maryland Law School, where she was also an adjunct professor.
Migsie became a well-known attorney, philanthropist, and community advocate in Columbia, Maryland, where she lived for 50 years. It was also in Columbia that she formed beautiful and meaningful lifelong friendships that sustained her and brought her immense joy.
Baseball played a huge part in Migsie’s life. Upon moving to Columbia, she became an avid Orioles fan. The pinnacle of Migsie’s baseball life came in traveling to Fantasy Camp where she and her dear friend joined the ranks of male players and coaches to bat, bunt and steal. Migsie would later high five Cal Ripken from the Camden Yard Field as he made baseball history.
Migsie found complete peace on the island of Martha’s Vineyard which was a true sanctuary for her throughout her entire life. It was there that she would walk the beach outside her home finding heart shaped rocks, sea glass and other treasures that now line the windows of the family home.
Migsie is survived by her daughters Kim and Jenny Richlin, husband Gar Richlin, Granddaughters Isabel and Abigail Gonzalez and Lucy Richlin, and her sister Amy Gardner.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Migsie’s memory to The Women’s Giving Circle.