Margaret Catherine Mayernik Horvath

HORVATH, Margaret Catherine Mayernik, age 93, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2023. She had resided at Windsor Heights Assisted Living and Memory Care, Cleveland, Ohio, since 2019.

Margaret was born in 1930 to Stephen and Mary Mayernik (nee Volkay) in Sharon, Pa. She married Arthur Horvath in 1950, after he promised Margaret's father to pay for the remainder of her college education. She graduated from Kent State University with a B.S. in Home Economics Education in 1952, and an M.A. in Foods and Nutrition in 1971. She retired as a Professor of Home Economics (now Human Ecology) at Youngstown State University (YSU) in 1995, and moved to Richmond, Va., to be near family.

Margaret had four children between 1954 and 1964. After several years as a stay-at-home mother, Margaret permanently entered the world of work. Over the course of her career she advanced from public school teacher, to hospital dietitian, to university professor. She fulfilled the hope of her father, that she and her three sisters would become educated and self-sufficient (as they all did).

Margaret was highly active in her profession and community. She was passionate about her career. She became a Registered Dietitian, helped establish the Dietetic Technology Program at YSU, and, throughout her career, mentored many students and professionals. She held many leadership positions, including president of the Ohio Dietetic Association, Secretary of the American Dietetic Association and Chair of the Mahoning Valley Dietetic Association. Additionally, she consulted for U.S. Airlines, the U.S. Navy, and the Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation that manufactured canned foods. Margaret also volunteered for the American Heart Association and WIC, and garnered multiple awards including a Distinguished Professorship Award for Teaching from YSU and an Outstanding Service Award from the American Dietetic Association.

Margaret, Arthur and their family lived in Youngstown, Ohio from 1959 to 1971, on a farm in Canfield, Ohio, until 1995, and then in Richmond, Va. She made each kitchen and each home efficient and pleasing places she could feed and entertain her family and friends. Her meals were nutritious, delicious and lively events for all who experienced them, often with live music provided by her family. Margaret also loved reading and gardening.

Margaret is survived by three children, Tom (Claudia, San Diego, Calif.), Janet (Glenn, Normal, Ill.), Kathleen (Crystal, Cleveland, Ohio); her son-in-law, Peter; and five grandchildren, Quinn, Gregory (Lies), Lydia (Andrew), Emma and Sullivan. She was preceded in death by her husband (after a marriage of 65 years); and her youngest daughter, Mary. Margaret is also survived by her four younger siblings, Rita (Ray, Richmond, Va.), Ron (Marion, Kansas City, Mo.), Mary (Alan, Richmond, Va.) and Irene (Charles, Rochester, N.Y.); and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any gifts be made to the Margaret C. Horvath Scholarship at the Youngstown State University Foundation, 655 Wick Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44502 (checks to YSU Foundation, with Margaret C. Horvath Scholarship in the memo line, or online, ysufoundation.org, click "Give Now," follow prompts).

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Edwards the Confessor Catholic Church in Richmond, Va., on August 9, 2023, at 1 p.m. Following the Mass and celebration, her ashes will be laid to rest next to her loving husband.