Margaret Faulkner, 80, Development Leader
Margaret J. Faulkner of Newton, MA died on May 1, 2016, at age 80. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Margy is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Robert K. Faulkner (Bob), her grateful children and their spouses, Robert C. (Donald MacDonald) and Elizabeth (Kevin O’Halloran), and three adoring grandchildren, Chase, William and Margaret O’Halloran. She is also survived by her brother, Alan McConaghan, his wife Barbara, and their children William, Megan, and Adam.
Margy was an exceptional student and could have been a scholar and professor had she so chosen. Her undergraduate studies were at Earlham College and the London School of Economics. As a Woodrow Wilson Scholar, she earned her Masters degree in political science from the University of Chicago, where she met her husband. Later, she turned a paper for a continuing education course into a children’s book, “I Skate,” published by Little Brown & Co.
Re-entering the professional sphere once her children were in school, she led a distinguished career in institutional development spanning positions at the Belmont Hill School, the Museum of Science Boston, and WGBH. Margy then enjoyed a long and enriching association with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, serving happily on the Ladies Committee, class of 1998, and thereafter with the alumnae in the MFA Senior Associates. She was also an active member of the Chilton Club.
Those who knew Margy will remember her for her “effortless” entertaining that made every guest feel special, her refinement in the artistic pursuits she loved, her high personal standards, her uncomplaining perseverance through physical hardships, and her penetrating and candid demeanor. She was an avid homemaker, hostess, gardener, photographer, reader, community volunteer, participant in the arts, and world traveller. Always wise, judicious, exacting, generous, and gracious, she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers Margy requested donations to her beloved MFA Senior Associates, made payable to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and mailed c/o The MFA Senior Associates Tribute Fund, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 7, at 2:00pm in Lindsey Chapel, Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury Street, Boston.
Margaret J. Faulkner of Newton, MA died on May 1, 2016, at age 80. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Margy is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Robert K. Faulkner (Bob), her grateful children and their spouses, Robert C. (Donald MacDonald) and Elizabeth (Kevin O’Halloran), and three adoring grandchildren, Chase, William and Margaret O’Halloran. She is also survived by her brother, Alan McConaghan, his wife Barbara, and their children William, Megan, and Adam.Source: Legacy.com
Margaret Faulkner was one of the great people of The Foundation. She did everything with grace, energy, and caring, she cared deeply about WGBH and its mission, and she was a superb team leader, mentor, and friend. With people like her, how could we fail?
I’m very sorry to hear about Margaret’s passing. She was a wonderful advocate for many educational projects at WGBH when I worked there is an out reach director. She really understood what the ready to learn project was about, and she made very important contributions to all who knew her. I wish her family my sincere condolences. May she rest in peace.
It is with the greatest sadness that I must report that Margaret Faulkner has passed away today.
Margaret loved WGBH. She instilled in all of us who worked for her and with her the importance of WGBH’s mission to educate, stimulate and inform the individual, the community, the country and the world. She made the mission our duty and ultimately our joy in helping WGBH create the programs and projects of the highest standards and made us all feel as if our own individual efforts were essential in their production and dissemination.
As you also know, Margaret was very special to me personally and as part of the WGBH lore when she hired a 40 year old broke fisherman without a resume, without a lick of experience, without a sport coat to call his own and somehow transformed me into someone who was able to help WGBH…the institution that she loved deeply.
Well said Mark!