Margarita Lytle

When I arrived in England (1965), I chaperoned several students of Chuck's (Margarita's future husband) on a student ship that included a large contingent of expats from the Berkeley Free Speech Movement. Chuck, meanwhile, had sailed on the QEII, where he met Margarita. Margarita looked after me well during my first year in England and we remained friends during her years in NJ and her early years back in London. Apart from her memorable cooking and travel adventures, I vividly recall her research interests in the prospects to UK membership in the Common Market. I've thought of her often in recent years in the context of her superb insights, which seem to be unmatched in today's world. Her loss is much to be regretted.

MJ and Lauren, I am heartbroken for your loss. Please know that you have my deepest condolences. Growing up and going to school with MJ in the '80s, it was a treat to spend a weekend night at their house. Mrs. Lytle was always an incredible host and I loved staying there when afforded the opportunity. She was a firm, strong woman, and a wonderful role model for her children. She will be greatly missed.

Margarita has been our most loyal volunteer at Save the Children since she joined our shop in 2013. She would not miss a shift, come snow or come shine, unless she was traveling around the world or visiting family and friends. After a "very very strong black coffee with plenty of sugar" and a little conversation about the past week, here she was helping and advising her customers many of whom were patients at the hospital across the street, and despite her own ailments it was all about them and she had gentle words to everyone. Margarita was extremely proud of her table displays and would always give me little hints of what was needed on the shop floor, she had a great business sense and was fiercely competitive but mostly against herself, always wanting to beat her previous shift to raise even more funds for the charity. Margarita was such an extraordinary person, strong, witty and continually looking ahead but her heart was with her children and grandchildren always talking about their visits and achievements. We miss her deeply and Thursday mornings at the shop will never be the same.

I will miss Margarita so much! She seemed like Ann enduring presence with so much life still to live! We first met at her Aunt Esme’s in the early 60s, before she came to New York. We kept in touch, a lot by phone, over the next sixty years and more recently she opened her home to me whenever I returned to London. She thought it was silly to go out to dinner and always produced a good meal dishing up a fabulous dinner seemingly instantly. My dear friend always made sure I had my Oyster card in my pocket and knew where I was going! Together we visited Kew, Greenwich. Globe Theatre, Ascot, Queens Club for tennis, Museums and Galleries, Hyde Park etc. and walked and walked - all in her little black slip-on shoes! She loved showing off her beloved London and her beloved children MJ and Lauren, and sometimes we were lucky enough to glimpse her grandchildren. .....Margarita was a woman on the go, never wasted a minute. I loved her energy, her generosity and her interest in everything around her. Friend - Rest In Peace, and my condolences and love to the family. Gill.

Margarita was one of the most private persons I have ever come across - except when it came to talk about her grandchildren whom she just adored. All of them, individually - with all the details of their achievements and as a group. We have known each other since LSE - 1957-1960 - a very long time ago!! Met her future husband to whom she was engaged. THen there is a gap of about 25 years when she came back to England and our we became friends. I always admired her energy, adaptability and enterprise. Her various projects were an indication of her energy, intellect and entrepreneurial ability. She was a ery good friend, and helped wherever she could. II Peter (my husband who was also at LSE and knew her) and I woule like to express our condolences in your bereavcement - LAuren, Michael John, and the 5 grandchildren who will sorely miss her! wiTH great affection and sympathy Agti Katz

We were very saddened to hear of Margarita's death. Through family circumstances, we got to know her on her return to the UK with M-J and Lauren. She showed both us and our children, Joshua and Beth, great friendship and generosity of spirit and was always keen to learn of their progress in life. She was whole-hearted in everything she cared out, and especially in nurturing her own growing family of whom she was so proud. We will miss this elegant and strong-minded lady with her capacity to turn every snack into an opportunity for a feast.

We have such great memories of our ‘family times’ together with your family, especially your amazing Bonfire Night parties, with Margarita bustling around making sure everyone was well fed and watered, and years before at Fawcett Ct and Onslow Sq when Jonah and Esme and then Milo were tiny... She was such a devoted grandmother to all her beloved grandchildren, such a proud mom to MJ and Lauren, and always a pleasure to catch up with, no matter where or when. She will be missed, but what a good life she lived. With love, Kay, Fraser, Adelaide, and Oliver

Don and I were so sad to receive Lauren's phone call when Margarita died. We truly thought she would outlive us all, with her immense energy and love of life. Her last trip to the States was in September, for her birthday, with Pat & Phil Peek and friends in New Hampshire. I feel fortunate to have had a few days with her then. Characteristically, although she was very ill, she was planning her next trip, this time to South Africa in January. Bless her, bless her spirit, and her legacy. She loved her children fiercely and her grandchildren equally so. Others have written here of how central she was to the Madison community in which we all "grew up" as young parents and members of a vibrant university life. Margarita was one of a kind. We will miss her dearly. Sending much love to you, Lauren and MJ, and your family. Please keep in touch.