EINAN’S FUNERAL HOME Margaret Ludington Bilyard, 56, was called by the Lord on Sunday, August 29, 2004. She was a loving wife and a devoted mother of two. She and her family have resided in Richland since 1989, during which time she was a nurse in the Family Birthing Center at Kennewick General Hospital. She leaves a legacy of two wonderful children, a strong work ethic, and thousands of healthy mothers and babies.

Margot, as she preferred to be called, was born to Emerson N. and Margaret D. Ludington of West Haven, Connecticut. She grew up in her mother’s childhood home and attended West Haven primary and secondary schools.

Margot’s heritage included 7 ancestors who arrived at Plymouth, Massachusetts on the Mayflower, and several who fought for freedom in the Revolutionary War. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Richland Lutheran Church.

At the age of 5 Margot was severely burned. The care and compassion shown to her by the nurses at Yale New Haven Hospital inspired her to become a nurse. Over a career spanning 34 years and 5 different hospitals, she cared for thousands of mothers in labor and their newborn babies. It was her vocation and her passion.

Margot earned her B.S. in Nursing from the University of Vermont in 1970. She met her husband, Gordon, at the University of Vermont and they were married in 1970. They lived in Damariscotta, Maine from 1970 – 1974. In 1974 Margot and her husband moved from New England to the Pacific Northwest, where they have resided since. They lived in Corvallis, Oregon from 1974 – 1984, in Redmond, Washington from 1984 – 1989, and since that time in Richland.

Margot was a avid reader, often rereading her favorite books several times. Mysteries, fantasies, and science fiction were among her favorites. She also enjoyed cooking, and excelled at it to the delight of family and friends. She and her family shared a love of the outdoors that included camping, hiking, and boating, and in her younger years hunting and fishing. Over the past 15 years, they camped and hiked in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia.

Margot faced her 15 month battle with cancer with dignity and determination. She never complained and was an inspiration to family and friends. During this time, she and her husband traveled to see family and friends, and to visit places in the northwest that were special to them. In May they fulfilled a special dream by visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks.

Margot is survived by her husband Gordon, son Nicholas 25, and daughter Donaca, 19. She is also survived by her father Emerson N. Ludington of West Haven and her sister Katherine L. Warton of Livermore, California. Her mother, Margaret D. Ludington, preceded her in death.

A service celebrating Margot’s life will be held at Richland Lutheran Church at 901 Van Giesen at 3:00 P.M. on Friday, September 10, 2004. After the service, family and friends are invited to share memories at the Bilyard home. Margot request that flowers not be sent. Instead, she preferred that donations in her name be given to the March of Dimes or The American Cancer Society.