Maggie Studie (Cherokee), mother of Native American Academy Award winning actor Wes Studie, passed away on Sunday, October 17. A fluent speaker of the Cherokee language, she taught her tribal language for decades to others. She was 92.
Born in Norfire Hollow, Okla., her preferred language was Tsalagi or Cherokee. Her parents spoke Cherokee at home and as a young girl, she became bilingual by teaching herself to speak English by listening to others and observing the actions of English-speakers and making the connection between the two.
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She was a strong advocate for the Cherokee Nation to preserve the Cherokee language for future generations.
Maggie married Andy Studie. The couple had four sons, Wesley, Andy Lee, Bobby Lee, and Calvin. As a couple, they made a life for their family working on ranches and farms on the far western reaches of Cherokee Nation and came to rest in Collinsville, Okla. While there they developed their favorite project of teaching the sons music while they were still in school. The boys formed a rock-n-roll band. Andy Senior became their manager and Maggie became a rock-n-roll mom as they traveled from one band engagement to the next throughout eastern Oklahoma.
Studie was also an environmental activist who took part in the successful protest of the planned Blackfox nuclear plant near Inola, Okla. as well as a subsequent demonstration in Washington, D.C.
Studie’s obituary says “she breathed a sigh of relief and thanked The Creator when plans for the nuclear plant were shelved. She held a firm belief that as long as we as people were truthful, honest, and cared for others, Creator would help and take care of the rest.”
Maggie was predeceased by her husband, Andy Studie, her son Calvin, her parents and siblings.
She is survived by her sons Wesley Studie (Maura Dhu), Andy Lee Studie (Karla Reynolds), Bob L. Studie and grandchildren Daniel Studie, Adam Studie, Leah Studie, Bradley Studie, Marsha Studie, Dionne Studie, Chelsea Studie and Kholan Studie and many great-grandchildren.
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