Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
About
Margaret Boeth Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Margaret Boeth
Christopher T. Cory
March 25, 2021
A late addition in January, 2022: The deservedly warm recollections here omit Sissy’s long career at Time magazine, moving up from a researcher to a full-fledged writer, one of the earliest women to make that jump. In 1968 I worked with her on the Time cover story about the novelist and critic John Updike. I interviewed him and his wife; Sissy did the more demanding work of writing the story, under the friendly but demanding eye of a senior editor, Jesse Birnbaum. I will soon (April, 2022) be donating her initial memo with the concept for that story, along with my notes on my interviews with Updike, to the Houghton Library at his alma mater. Harvard University, where I expect they will join his other papers. I can be reached at [email protected].
Anna Hurt Arrington
November 9, 2007
I have just learned about Sissy's death, and I am very sad to lose a friend of many years. We were at Hollins together, then reconnected some years later to become fast friends. We both loved to laugh, and that, as much as anything, cemented our friendship. I'll miss her.
Isabel Clark
October 31, 2007
During the wonderful remembrances at the memorial last weekend, several people shared about how Sissy was like a grandma to them as children, then transitioned to be their friends when they became adults. I had the same experience. Though I had met Sissy when I was a small child (we are cousins on my father’s side and close family friends through my mother’s side), my strongest first memories of her are from visiting her in New York with my grandmother Lepoint during our annual trips in the early 90s (when I was in middle school). Sissy even joined my grandmother, Miss Lucy, and me on a riverboat cruise down the Mississippi (I believe in 1992?). After college, I stayed with Sissy regularly during various classes and programs I attended in the city. She was incredibly generous in opening her home to me, and we always had great conversation in her kitchen over cups of tea. Sissy was such an intelligent, provocative conversational partner… a strong, opinionated woman (truly a force to be reckoned with!!)… someone who really took on the task of making the most out of life… and she was classy and brimming with real southern hospitality. I miss her and will always treasure her memory.
Kathleen Bay
October 25, 2007
My husband, Austin, and I met Margaret (and she introduced herself as "Margaret" and we were supposed to call her that, always) when we moved to New York in the fall of 1979, after I graduated from law school. We went to the same church -- All Angels, and she lived in the building across the street from us, there on 81st Street and Riverside Drive. We loved Margaret. I once wore her amazing yellow prom/debutante dress to a costume party at All Angels -- I think it was her high school prom dress. We were with her at an All Angels retreat when the news came about Christopher's accident. When our first child, Annabelle, was born and we knew it was about 2 years later, we asked Margaret to be her godmother and Jim Dunnigan to be her godfather and, to our delight, both accepted. I will always remember Margaret then telling me that Christopher's accident had been on the exact same date as Annabelle's birthday -- September 17th -- and that, now, since she was Annabelle's godmother, she had something good to think about on that date instead of something bad. That was quintessential Margaret. And Margaret was a wonderful godmother. And a wonderful person. We spent many, many wonderful times with her, in New York, at the Cape, and even when she came to Texas to visit once. We also were able to be with her when Christopher was laid to rest in Mississippi and she put some Cape Cod sand on the casket before it was lowered into the ground. Her grave is right next to his. Will we miss Margaret? More than words can express. Margaret had a host of wonderful family members (many of whom Austin and I had the privilege and pleasure of being with at Margaret's burial) and friends. And she shared us all with each other. May God bless the path you follow now, dear Margaret; rest in peace.
Bob Abstein
October 25, 2007
I had the privilege of serving with Margaret on the Board of Episcopal Relief and Development for several years. She was a strong advocate for programs that supported the poor and needy and always let you know where she stood. I had the joy of playing golf with her on several occasions and enjoyed her stories of family and life experiences. May God continue to bless her family.
Jillian Milch
October 24, 2007
Margaret was a great nieghbor to my cousins down in Cape Cod. She was a lovelly woman with a caring heart. We had a lot of fun at her house on Cape Cod. We always had a lot of fun playing with her grandson Sam. I didn't know her that well but I still knew her and that's what counts.
Clare Mead Rosen
October 23, 2007
A woman for all seasons, a friend for all seasons, Sissy knew and taught the rest of us how to live with and through great personal pain. If someone were to remark "I don't know how you go on!" at any of a number of difficult junctures in her life, I know what she would reply:"What's the alternative?" Then she'd laugh.Sissy knew what it meant to "keep smiling through" as the song has it, 'till "the blue clouds drive the dark clouds far away." And if they didn't, she'd make her own blue sky by helping someone else who badly needed one. Sissy lived life to the hilt because she knew that a single day was an ineffable gift. I will miss you terribly, but will always carry you in my heart.
Doug Ousley
October 23, 2007
Sissy was a student of mine at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine many years ago. Our paths continued to cross via her niece Margaret, the Midtown Tennis Club, the occasional lunch and most recently the Church Club. She was a strong lady with a great love of the Episcopal Church.
Margaret (Meg) McGovern
October 23, 2007
Sissy was my Godmother and she took the job seriously, which meant alot to me. I was named for her because she was also my Mother's best friend. Even though our lives were lived in different parts of the country, we were able to visit often. Sissy was a mentor for me in many ways. She was smart,strong,loving,humorus,athletic,adventuresome,and very generous. I will miss her tremendously and will carry her spirit with me always.
Witney Schneidman
October 22, 2007
Margaret was my buddy on the ERD board. We were blessed to serve with a group of individuals whose spirits were dedicated, vibrant and searching. I remember Margaret fondly, and her legacy of giving will live on forever.
Rob Radtke
October 22, 2007
Margaret served Episcopal Relief and Development faithfully as a board member for many years and then after she retired from our board as a dedicated advisor. For many years, Margaret was among our most generous supporters.
Margaret joined Episcopal Relief and Development’s board under the leadership of the late Bishop Robert G. Tharp. She served as chair of the program committee of the Board as the organization changed its methodology from reactive grants in response to applications, to a proactive, long term and measurable responses to human suffering. She never failed to raise the hard questions and to push the organization to new levels of success.
Margaret’s energy and commitment to Episcopal Relief and Development was an inspiration to me as the new president. Her term as a Board member was winding down as I became president. However, in the period following Hurricane Katrina, Margaret was instrumental in helping Episcopal Relief and Development shape its response to the human tragedy presented by the storm and its aftermath.
At my request, Margaret eagerly traveled to Mississippi on behalf of Episcopal Relief and Development to advise us on creating new and innovative programs to respond to the disaster brought about by Katrina. I know that her work is bearing important fruit today as the Episcopal Church works to be in service to “the least of these,” as commanded by Jesus in Matthew 25.
The Board and staff of Episcopal Relief and Development are grateful for Margaret’s generous service and witness to the love of God. She will be fondly remembered and missed by all of us. We are keeping Margaret and her family in our prayers. We take comfort in knowing that “The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God.”
Robert W. Radtke
President
Martha Taylor
October 21, 2007
Margaret and I were Cape Cod friends and tennis pals. The first year I moved to the Cape (in 2000), I was invited to play in a foursome with her. She did not make it to the Cape courts that year because she was diagnosed with cancer. However, the next year she was there, and we continued to play every year until this past summer. When she told us she was having a hip replacement, we didn't know if she would play again. We should have known better!! She was out there again the next summer. Even this summer, though she could not play, she joined the club and came for two special events.
I will never forget her courage, optimism and love of life. The last time I saw Margaret, I took her some Southern country ham biscuits which she had told me she liked.
I will miss her.
Martha Taylor, Raleigh, North Carolina
Lisa Christensen
October 15, 2007
I had the opportunity to work with Margaret for many years as a development officer at Marlboro College, where she was a parent and trustee, helping to administer the Christopher Boeth Scholarships. Margaret was a spirited, generous woman, with a wonderful no nonsense style and hearty laugh. I am so glad she got to have one last summer on her beloved Cape Cod. I will miss her very much. The Marlboro College community extends sincere condolences to Margaret's family and friends.
Edie Smith
October 14, 2007
I've enjoyed Margaret's hospitality and her company at the theater since I moved to New York in 1990, but when she joined our Wednesday night tennis group a few years ago I had a chance to see her impact on others.
Margaret was a bit older than everybody else--twenty years older than our youngest member-- and recovering from hip surgery, but she raised the level of the game. Her determination was catching, and her strategies worth copying. And win or lose--although she mostly won--she was always excellent company at dinner afterwards where we talked about everything but tennis. We also got to enjoy her hospitality at a memorable an elegant dinner in Margaret's apartment.
We'll miss Margaret and wish she was still playing with us, but at least her spirit remains
Ina Saltz
October 10, 2007
Sissy was one of the first people I met when I joined the Time Inc Teletext team in 1981. It was a terrific group of artists, writers and editors who really bonded over the next few years as we explored "the frontier" of electronic publishing. After Time Inc. discontinued our great experiment in early 1984, we continued to have regular reunions, most hosted generously by Sissy at her beautiful apartment on Riverside Drive. Sissy was always the one asking when we were going to have our next reunion!
My husband Steven Beispel and I also remember attending many wonderful Christmas parties at Sissy's, where we had the most divine (and devastatingly effective) homemade eggnog and enjoyed meeting Sissy's circle of friends from all the parts of her life (and reconnecting with them year after year). She was a most gracious hostess, always urging us to take some goodies home as we were leaving. The holidays will never be the same without Sissy and her eggnog.
Sissy and I were also sports buddies. We palyed golf whenever we could manage it before or after her time at the Cape, and she invited me to join her regular Tuesday doubles group at Midtown Tennis, which had been around for about thirty years...I felt as if I were being admitted into a very exclusive club! (The best part was that I got to see a lot of Sissy.)Sissy could hit a mean ball, and our group reminisced just yesterday about how competitive she was! The court will continue to be known as "The Boeth Court," but we will sorely miss Sissy, who played just as fiercely even after her hip replacement and her illnesses, up until last year.
Sissy had a great spirit, a strong moral sense, a love for humanity, a terrific sense of humor, a great laugh. She was smart and witty and charming and compassionate. People were just drawn to her kindness and warmth. I count myself so lucky to have known her.
Maeve Lyons
October 9, 2007
Margaret was a great friend of mine. We always watched movies and had sleep overs with hot chocolate. Our family loved playing baseball in her backyard,enjoying a cookout with Bank Street Gang and then on a special day we could ring the Bell.
We enjoyed your friends and family. She invited our family to NYC for a weekend of fun. She never complained about our loud parties because she almost always joined us. Margaret, thank you for all the wonderful memories! Love Maeve
Maeve Lons
October 9, 2007
Margaret was a great friend of mine. We always watched movies and had sleep overs with hot chocolate. Our family loved playing baseball in her backyard,enjoying a cookout with Bank Street Gang and then on a special day we could ring the Bell.
We enjoyed your friends and family. She invited our family to NYC for a weekend of fun. She never complained about our loud parties because she almost always joined us. Margaret, thank you for all the wonderful memories! Love Maeve
Athena Lyons
October 9, 2007
Margaret was a speacial friend to many people especially me. I remeber all the good times in the summer when she was up to it I remember when she would play baseball with all us kids.I remember the annual summer sleepover it was the best. She was so nice that we woudn't have to ask to play in her yard.I guess what i'm tring to say is that she was a granma to everone in everway.I'm really going to miss her always smiling face. I love you Margaret you will always be in everybody's heart. Athena Lyons
Mariah Cladis
October 8, 2007
Margaret was one of the greatest friends anybody could hope for in a lifetime. She was always so affectionate, kind-hearted and loving and such an incredible person. I will miss Margaret a lot, especially on those days on Cape Cod, it just won't be the same not seeing her smiling face there. But, even though she cannot be seen, she is always here in everyone's heart and will be and forever one of the most influential people that ever touched my heart with her kindness.
Karen Jaworski
October 8, 2007
Reflections from my backdoor:
As I look out of my door, I see Sissy's summer home which holds so many memories. Where does one start when you have shared so much over 30 years, some very difficult, but many happy. A few of the happy times are the reflections I wish to remember at this time.
1. The year I called Sissy to ask if I could move a local Harwich family into her home-the day before Christmas-as their home had been totally destroyed by fire that morning. No questions asked, her reply was yes. What a meaningful Christmas for the 4 children and their mother-the pure spirit and meaning of Christmas.
2. When Chris was up to it, she used to bring him over to our swimming pool. We would lift him into a special raft and she would play and talk to him. I can still see her now, sitting on her deck, afterwards, reading a book to Chris. To watch this genuine love of a mother for a child was truly sacred. She never gave up-never complained-just pure unconditional love.
3.She became a member of our family-she opened her home on several memorable occasions for us-when two of our children were married, and then for Scott, our youngest, who had a civil ceremony in her backyard-again her open mind, willingness to share and acceptance of all people, was always evident and something our family will always cherish about her.
4. Speaking of backyards-that is probably one of the things we will miss seeing Sissy participate in the most. She would encourage and welcome the neighborhood children (big and small) to play in her backyard. The kids loved it because she does have the "best yard" to play: day or night!!!!! Even this past summer, she and Margaret planned two cookouts for all of the children, when Sam was up. That really was an excuse for Sissy to watch the children in her backyard playing and laughing. To see her smile and even call out to them was an inspiration to all. She had a knack for getting people together-she always was having get-togethers, parties of some kind. She loved people and people loved being around her. On this past Labor Day, she invited about 16 of us over to her home for a year end clamback. Oh, to see her surrounded by friends and family- the matriarch of Bank Street! And, she so enjoyed the lobster that day.
Oh, there is so much more to say, but I need to keep this short-so that is a good excuse for me to stop and say: yes, Sissy, there is is so much more I would like to say, but most of all, I want to thank you for being an inspiration to all of the members of the "Bank Street Gang". Your strength, courage, eternal optimism and love will not be forgotten-for everytime I look out my back door-I only need to see your home to have those beautiful thoughts come rushing back. I promise you, the kids will continue playing in your yard-for that fact, everyday, Matthew goes over to play-maybe his silent way of being close to you. And, we will ring your bell in your backyard often, so you will know we are saying hi. Till we meet again, (maybe even have a clambake up there-I know you will plan it for us), thank you for being who you were to me and my family.
Reflections from my backdoor
Karen Jaworski
Just one of the Bank Street Gang
Demetria Lyons
October 8, 2007
Margret was a great friend i am going to miss her so much i am going to miss looking forward to seeing her on cape cod i loved playing in her backyard like baseball sometimes she would play with us we had so much fun i am going to miss that the most. i loved having our summer sleepover . one night we all woke up and margaret was still up and we said we couldn't get to sleep she said how about a cup of hot chocolate and one game of clue. we were so happy, we had so much fun then we went to sleep that is what i am going to miss so much. she was my cape cod friend that i loved soo much! i am going to treasure those memories with her! i love you margaret!!!! demetria
Susanne Washburn
October 7, 2007
I wrote something late last night that inadvertently had a profound error in it. Kindly substitute the words below:
…copy boy at TIME just before his accident [NOT just before she lost him]
Susanne Washburn
October 6, 2007
Sissy was a colleague at TIME beginning back in the ’60s—and in more recent years a gracious hostess to the “Luce Ladies”—former TIME researcher/reporters. I remember Christopher as a boy teaching my son to play chess, and as a summer copy boy at TIME just before she lost him. Sissy’s was a life of much pain—carried on with great aplomb. She will be missed. With deepest sympathy to all those closest to her.
William Corwin
October 6, 2007
I met Sissy and Christopher through her mutual friend Cheryl Trench when I lived in NYC. Although I had not seen her in some years since moving to Princeton, she was a remarkable and gracious person and wonderful company.
Pearman Smith
October 6, 2007
I have not seen Sissy in years, but we were very close friends growing up together through our early school years. We often played together after school until I missed my bus ride home (big trouble) but we usually did it again the next day.
Margaret Hecht
October 5, 2007
Margaret and I were Cape Cod friends. We shared many a tennis game and golf match and often enjoyed remembering something about our Southern beginnings and our education in Southern Virginia. She was a classy lady and I will always be glad that she touched my life.
Sending you all my sincere condolences.
Carolyn Meyer
October 4, 2007
I met Sissy through her niece, Margaret. I didn't know Sissy well, but I will always remember her sense of fun & generosity, especially when Margaret & I had to stay up into the night at Sissy's place, doing our design school projects when Margaret was living there. My sympathies to her family.
July 4, 2007
October 4, 2007
Bootsie Lyon
October 3, 2007
Ed, I am sadden to hear of Sissy's death. I will see you and Donie at Calvary Church next week. My prayers are with you and you family. Love, Bootsie
Fred Pittman
October 3, 2007
Joan and I are deeply saddened by news of Sissy's passing. Our lives are much better for for having shared her friendship over so many years.
Jo Morris Brown
October 3, 2007
I have many fond memories of all of the Green family & loved Sissy.
Give my love to Ed!!!!
Showing 1 - 31 of 31 results
Make a Donation
in Margaret Boeth's name
Memorial Events
for Margaret Boeth
How to support Margaret's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Margaret Boeth's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
