The inspiration for Marge Simpson was a Portland Trail Blazers supporter

Sadly, the inspiration behind the “Marge Simpson” character ‘Simpsons’ mastermind Matt Groening created a quarter-century ago died last month. Margaret Ruth Groening’s subsequent obituary in The Oregonian reads about as impressively as obits tend to get, topping off with a tribute to the local basketball club.

Via The Oregonian, here’s the remembrance:

As high school valedictorian and Miss Everett, Margaret's highest honor was being named May Queen of Linfield College. She graduated from Linfield in 1941 and married classmate Homer Groening, whom she chose because he made her laugh the most. Margaret taught high school English before starting a family, and her love of language was apparent in the many Double-Crostics she completed (in ink). Margaret and Homer supported the Oregon Symphony, the Portland Trail Blazers and many local yarn shops (Margaret was a talented needlework artist).

(This is the most Portland obituary in the history of Portland obituaries.)

It appears as if Mrs. Groening led a full, fulfilling life. One that was commemorated by being given the tribute of acting as the namesake of one of the more endearing, admirable characters in fictional history, let alone the annals of television.

The Trail Blazers will be in the NBA lottery again following a disappointing 2012-13 season, but behind Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard, things are looking up. I think it would be a very cool – and very-Portland – thing if the red and black decided to add a small patch featuring a blue beehive hairdo next season. After all, in times of sadness, one had to try to keep things weird.