Margaret A. Saunders

ATHENS - Margaret Agnes Elliott Saunders of Fort Myers, FL, formerly of Athens, passed away at the age of 79 on June 22, 2016. Beloved daughter of Rush Elliott and Frances Gray Elliott, devoted sister to her adored brother Rush Eugene Elliott of Salem, OH and the now deceased Suzanne Elliott, most caring mother to her son’s Timothy Gray Ehrhart and Rush Thomas Ehrhart, loving partner of the deceased love of her life, Larry Hench. In addition to her brother and two sons, Margaret is survived by her daughter-in-laws Katherine Painter and Anne Colburn Ehrhart, her step daughter’s Karen, Betty, and Barbara Saunders, her nieces and nephews Karen, Jenny, Rush, Terry, and Celeste, and their families. Margie is also remembered by her 10 lovely grandchildren who she doted on and embraced with all her heart. Margaret was born in Athens, Ohio on December 29, 1936. She graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelors Degree in Biochemistry and then worked with Dr. Albert Sabin as a research assistant racing to find a cure for polio. After her father passed away, she helped Ohio University establish the Rush Elliott Professorship and the Rush Elliott Scholarship. She was married to Jack Thomas Ehrhart in 1958 and remarried to Charles William Saunders in 1980. She was an avid reader, needlepoint artist, and photographer and a loyal and trusted friend to many, many people all across the world. Her willingness and desire to help others and maintain her relationships are what defined her the most. A celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at 1:30 PM on Saturday September 24, 2016 in the Foundation Room at the Ohio University Inn 331 Richland Ave. Athens, OH. Immediately following, she will buried with her parents in the West Union Street Cemetery in Athens. Cards may be sent to Rush and Tim Ehrhart at 312 Newtonville Ave., Newton, MA 02460 Margaret and her family ask that donations be made to either the Rush Elliott Professorship Fund or the Rush Elliott Scholarship Fund and can be sent to the Ohio University Foundation at P.O. Box 869 Athens, OH 45701. Arrangements are by Hughes-Moquin Funeral Home where You may sign the online guestbook or leave a private message of sympathy for the family at www.hughesmoquinfuneralhome.com.