Margaret Rose Vail

MARGARET ROSE VAIL

(May 17, 1925 – June 10, 2021)

Margaret Rose Vail, born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, was the daughter of Herbert Arthur Rose and Frances Ella Converse Rose.  She married Ralph Vail in August 1947 and they were married 70 years before his passing in 2017.  Margaret is survived by their four children,  Scott G. Vail and his wife Carolyn of Mora, Carrie Vail Tienken and her husband Jim of Fresno, Shelley Vail Kaiser and her husband Randy of Angel Fire and Robert A. Vail and his wife Barbara of Santa Fe.  Margaret and Ralph had four grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren as well as embracing step-great-grandchildren.

She grew up in the eastern United States before moving to the Seattle, Washington area during her college years.  She was a member of Sigma Alpha Omicron Honorary Society and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Bacteriology and Public Health from the State College of Washington.

Margaret was a resident of Santa Fe since 1959.  She was one to serve rather than be served.  She attended St. John’s United Methodist Church where she assisted as an adult leader for the youth group and volunteered in Bag 'n Hand Food Pantry.  She often hosted members of her long-standing bridge group.  She was the bookkeeper in her husband’s engineering firm and helped operate the Sunlit Hills Community Water System for many years.

Margaret was an adventurous destination traveler visiting Egypt, Easter Island, Antarctica and Russia, as well as numerous National Parks in Canada and the United States.  She enjoyed studying and cataloging a wide range of collectibles.  She delighted in having family gatherings and her clever sense of humor was brought out in unexpected ways.

The family will commemorate Margaret with a private memorial service.  In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor your memory of her with a donation to a charity of your choice.