Margaret Lloyd lived with courage and commitment, working on behalf of a new understanding of our relationship to the earth and to each other. She spent her life generously engaging with and supporting significant, prophetic endeavors.
She died on January 13th at the age of 97. She leaves a legacy which includes Thomas Berry Hall, as well as other structures and programs around the country (see below).
Margaret first visited Chinook in the 1970s, and remained a friend of the community thereafter though she lived in New York City. In 1997, sharing the aspirations of Fritz and Vivienne Hull, she made an extraordinary gift that provided the funding for the building of Thomas Berry Hall as well as program support in the early years of the Whidbey Institute. She deeply understood the work of Thomas Berry, and her gift created a distinctive place for the emerging work for Earth, Spirit, and the Human Future that he inspired.
In the 15 years since completion, this beautiful Ross Chapin-designed structure has been counted among the most distinctive of gathering places on Whidbey Island and in the Northwest. It has held meetings and gatherings of major importance, along with graduations, memorials, concerts, and a few great parties. Margaret’s gift profoundly changed the culture and opportunities of the Institute. We continue to grow into the power of the space.
To her family, and to all who knew Margaret, we express our gratitude for the manifold ways in which she delighted, challenged, and supported us across three decades of meaningful friendship and inspiration.
Margaret’s friends are invited to one of these celebrations of her life:
July 20th, 1 – 3 pm at the Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South, New York, New York; or July 27th, 2-4 pm at 140 Vineyard Road, Cotuit (Cape Cod), Massachusetts. RSVP via email at least a week in advance, and please pass this message on to others.
Margaret’s family has already received some wonderful memories, which are being collected for a family scrapbook. Each celebration will be an opportunity to reminisce, but if you cannot come, please send your memories. They are also preparing a photo show and would be delighted to add any scanned images of Margaret (with or without her friends) you might provide.
In lieu of flowers to honor Margaret, the family has suggested a donation to the Fine Arts Center, the Barnstable Land Trust, the New York Open Center, Judson Memorial Church for care of the LaFarge windows, The Brigham & Women’s Hospital’s Father George Winchester Endowment for Chaplaincy, or a charity of your choice.