Margaret Lansing Fox Hayes, 101, died peacefully at Ginger Cove Assisted Living, Annapolis, Maryland, on Oct. 11, 2015.

Margaret was born Sept. 25, 1914, in Troy, New York, to her parents, Earl Blair and Rose Fox Jr. At age four, the family moved to Annapolis, Maryland, where her father was a professor at the post graduate school of the Naval Academy. By age 14, Margaret and her two younger brothers had lost both parents and were raised in their Annapolis home on 2 Taney Avenue by their paternal grandmother, Rose Fox from Troy, New York. The family was a member of St. Anne’s Church in Annapolis.

Margaret attended the Green Street School and Annapolis High School, Class of 1930. She went on to graduate with a BS degree from Goucher College, Class of 1934. After graduation, Margaret worked at Episcopal Hospital in Philadelphia and later for the Health Department of Maryland in Frederick, Maryland.

On July 16, 1941, she and Dr. Merrill B. Hayes were married at St. Anne’s Church in Annapolis and resided in Arlington, Virginia, and Annapolis while Merrill served in the Army Medical Corps. In 1946, the family moved to Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, where Merrill established his medical practice in Chester, Pennsyvania. Margaret spent her time as a homemaker, raising her two children, volunteering with various hospital auxiliaries, the Trinity Church auxiliary, school groups, Girl Scouts and was always willing to lend a helping hand with numerous projects and causes. Every summer she spent at the family cabin in Sprucewold in Boothbay Harbor.

Early in 1975, following Merrill’s retirement, they traveled around the world via ship for three months. It was the beginning of many long-awaited travel adventures. In 1975, Margaret and Merrill moved to Cambridge, Maryland, where Margaret continued her volunteer work, including the auxiliary of St. John’s Chapel and the program to teach adults to read. She became an avid bridge player and continued to play for many years. Margaret and Merrill moved to Independent Living at Ginger Cove in 1997. Margaret made the decision to move to Ginger Cove’s Assisted Living in November 2014 at age 100.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Merrill Hayes (1998), a daughter, Margaret Anne, and her two brothers Earl Blair Fox III (Pete) and Dr. Charles T. Fox.

She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Hayes Gray and son-in-law, McGregor Gray Jr. of Brunswick; her son, James Arthur Hayes II of Annapolis, Maryland; grandsons, Blair McGregor and Kristen Gray of Bangkok, Thailand, and Colin Merrill Gray and Jen Hurley of Portland, Oregon; three great-grandchildren; three nephews and five nieces.

Margaret lived a long, fulfilling life. Being an orphaned child during the Depression, she learned what hardship was and how to overcome life’s obstacles. She was loved for her wonderful sense of humor, family stories, and willingness to always help whenever needed. She will always be a special inspiration to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and to all those who knew her.

Margaret donated her body to the Maryland State Anatomy Board. Her family honors her request for no memorial service. Charitable contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.