For more than 20 years, Portlanders have gotten

– Terwilliger, Flanders, Lovejoy, Quimby – that recur in

the iconic animated Fox comedy series created by Portland native

No reference was more direct, however, than Groening naming the fictional Simpsons after members of his own family: Homer, Marge, Lisa, and Maggie. Only Bart –an anagram for "Brat" –wasn't named after one of the Groenings.

So it was with a special twinge of recognition that many Portlanders noticed

who died April 22, at age 94. In interviews over the years, Groening's mother pointed out that she didn't go by "Marge," but that didn't stop fans from equating her with the ever-tolerant, ever-doting mother on "The Simpsons."

As a commenter wrote on

"She made this world a better place! And her legacy as 'Marge' will live forever. Matt Groening has created such a loving depiction of her! You will live on in our hearts, Marge 'Simpson.'"

Another, in a note to Matt Groening, wrote, "Your mom became everyone's mom."

Dan Heims, an owner of Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc., in Canby, went to Lincoln High School with Matt Groening. Monday afternoon, he recalled spending time with Groening, drawing cartoons "until we dropped" in the Lincoln High School library.

"His mom was just a sweetheart," said Heims, 59. "She was just a wonderful lady."

Margaret Groening's maiden name was Wiggum, also the name of a "The Simpsons" character, Chief Wiggum, chief of police in Springfield, where the show is set.

though he later joked that he didn't say that at all. "I said Springfield was the name of my sled."

Groening did confirm many times that he named Marge and Homer Simpson after his own parents, and Lisa and Maggie after two of his sisters. His third sister, Patty, shared a name with Marge Simpson's sister. Groening also has a brother named Mark.

Homer Groening, whose creativity flourished in advertising, as a filmmaker and as a cartoonist, died in 1996. Patty Groening, an artist, died in January.

"The Simpsons" is the longest-running scripted show in TV history, according to its network, Fox, and finishes its 24th season on May 19.

-- Kristi Turnquist