Margarit JH "Margo" Baptista

Margarit JH "Margo" Baptista

Margo Baptista, 86, of New Bedford, died peacefully after a lengthy illness on Friday, August 8, 2025, at The Cottages of Dartmouth Village. She was the wife of the late Howard Baptista.

Born and raised in New York City, she lived most of her life in New Bedford. She was the daughter of the late Hans and Frieda (Rhode) vonSteiger of New York City, and the fraternal twin sister of the late Elsa (vonSteiger) Herrington of Darien, CT.

Margo completed her primary education in the New York City public school system in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. She was active in several sports and the choir. She continued her secondary education at Haus Stoffel Finishing School in Arosa, Switzerland where she studied languages and administrative and secretarial skills that she would go on to use in her professional career. This opportunity also allowed her to refine her gourmet baking skills, continue her love of downhill skiing, and travel throughout Europe.

Upon returning to New York City, Margo began her professional career in the retail clothing industry as a secretary at B. Altman & Company, which is where she met Howard, her loving husband of 48 years.

After a few years in New York City, they relocated to her husband's hometown of New Bedford and she immediately adopted the area as her home. Margo volunteered and later worked at the New Bedford YWCA teaching swimming and aerobics for many years.

In the early 1980s, Margo began a career in real estate, first as a Marketing and Sales consultant at Round Hill Estates in Dartmouth during its initial re-development into a gated condominium community. She then joined Cornell Management Corporation and enjoyed a 20-year career in multi-family rental and condominium property management before her retirement.

Margo was known for her generous and loving spirit, as well as her can-do attitude, always showing that there was never a task she could not quicky learn and master. She often shared her love of skiing, swimming, traveling and baking with her children, family and numerous close friends.

She is survived by her two sons, Kevin Baptista and his partner Anne Whiting of South Dartmouth and Stephan Baptista and his wife Maureen of Mattapoisett. She is also survived by her brother, Hans Otto vonSteiger and his wife Susan, of Martha's Vineyard. She also leaves behind a cousin, several nieces and nephews and many close friends she regarded as family.

Her Memorial Service will be held Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 11:00 am at Grace Episcopal Church, 422 County Street, New Bedford. Immediately following the service there will be a gathering of friends and family to celebrate Margo's remarkable life at Merrill's on the Waterfront, 36 Homer's Wharf, New Bedford.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts or the Food Pantry at Grace Episcopal Church.