VOORHEESVILLE — Margaret Elizabeth Ewart “placed family, friends, the arts, nature, and travel at the forefront of her 59 years of life,” her family wrote in a tribute.
She died on Thursday, March 21, 2024.

“Beloved daughter of Dr. Mervyn and Mary Ewart, both deceased,” the tribute said, “Margaret’s unexpected death leaves a tremendous void in the lives of her brother, Robert Ewart, and sister-in-law, Julie, and their children, Melissa, Anne, and Michael Ewart; feline family members Henry, Myfanwy, and Angharrait; and extended family and friends around the world.

“A graduate of Voorheesville’s high School and Hampshire College, Margaret was a gifted artist who captured the beauty of local landscapes and wildlife through her paintings, and most recently applied her talents to theater sets for local productions.

“While she called the Albany area home throughout her life, Margaret was a prolific traveler whose lengthy list of global destinations included Ghana and Nicaragua, the Galapagos Islands, Wales and Ireland; the latter two the countries from which her parents’ ancestors emigrated.

“Margaret’s adventurousness extended to food, and she was always delighted to try unique ethnic specialties. She also loved to cook, and leaves behind a large and eclectic collection of recipe books.

“Margaret’s travels were enhanced by her great facility with languages, and she was proficient in French, Spanish, and most recently, Welsh. After her father’s death in 2009, she and her mother began to learn Welsh together, and, while the pandemic curtailed many activities, they continued their Welsh language studies through active participation in virtual classes that also expanded their network of friends.  

“In recent decades, Margaret was a devoted caregiver for both of her parents. Her loving care allowed both to enjoy a high quality of life until their deaths.

“Margaret was also passionate about environmental issues. She advocated to protect endangered animal species, grow native plants, and practice recycling through multiple forums. Those included the New Scotland Presbyterian Church and her Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO) chapter, for which she held many leadership positions and devoted countless volunteer hours to charitable initiatives, from bringing groceries to immobilized seniors to leading art classes for children.

“Margaret was a faithful friend, and many of her friendships were lifelong. Her gift for friendship extended to animals, and her pets — all rescued, or adopted from shelters — became cherished members of her family.”

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Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 1, at 11 a.m. at the New Scotland Presbyterian Church at 2010 New Scotland Road in Slingerlands.

Memorial messages may be left at https://altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

Donations in her honor may be made to the New Scotland Presbyterian Church, PEO International, or the World Wildlife Fund.