Mary Margaret Stag

Mary Margaret (Wiechert) Stag, 92, passed away on February 4, 2026, at her home on Fripp Island, South Carolina. Born November 16, 1933, in Baltimore, Maryland, Mary was the daughter of Robert Lawrence Wiechert and Margaret Mary (Slowik) Wiechert.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert J. Stag; her sons Robert L. Stag and Thomas Stag; her son‑in‑law Robert Zimmerman; and her brother Robert Wiechert.

She is survived by her children Leslie Zimmerman, John and Anne Stag, and Gary Stag; daughters‑in‑law Sharon Stag and Lori Stag; and her grandchildren Courtney O’Malley (Chris), Daniel O’Malley (Kristen), Justin Stag, Jessica Stag‑Galyamov (Roman), Jamie Chatham (Kyle), Shannon Stag (Seunghoon Lee), Andrew, Kaitlyn, and Eric Stag. She was blessed with great‑grandchildren Coleman and Lachlan Henderson, Ashlynn Chatham, and Finnegan O’Malley. She is also survived by her sister and brother‑in‑law Deborah and Kenneth Ashburn, and her sister‑in‑law Anne Wiechert.

Mary grew up in Baltimore City and attended Shrine of the Little Flower School and The Catholic High School of Baltimore, graduating in 1951. She worked as office manager for Dr. Angus MacLean from 1951 to 1957, a role she excelled in, and during those years she was instrumental in supporting her husband as he completed dental school.

She married her high‑school sweetheart, Bob Stag, on June 23, 1956, at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Baltimore. Together they raised their family in Severna Park, where Mary was a devoted member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

A skillful and deeply passionate bridge player, Mary became a well‑known figure in the Maryland and South Carolina bridge communities. She earned her Masters of Bridge, accumulating 5,391 lifetime master points (a Diamond Life Master, placing her into a level achieved by a small percentage of ACBL members) and generously mentored countless players over the years. At one tournament several men with long beards asked Mary and her group if they were there to see a concert. When Mary answered “no we are playing in a bridge tournament”, ZZ Top wished them well, put sunglasses on and walked away. 

She was a member of Chartwell Golf and Country Club and enjoyed golf, Broadway shows, and—above all—books. Her family lovingly jokes that she will earn her master’s degree in library science in the afterlife.

In 1996, Mary and Bob retired to Fripp Island, where they continued to build a rich life of friendship, community, and travel. Together they explored the world—from St. Petersburg, Russia, to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost town on earth. They toured The Holy Land, Egypt, Alaska, and much of Europe and South America. Mary remained active in the Fripp Island, Dataw, and Beaufort duplicate bridge clubs and cherished hosting annual holiday gatherings for family back in Maryland and family summer vacations in Fripp.

Mary’s life was defined by devotion—to her family, her faith, her friends, and her passions. She will be remembered for her sharp mind, her competitive spirit, her generosity, and the joy she brought to every room she entered.