Margaret Eby (1936-2019), In memoriam

The Center for Global Nonkilling wishes to celebrate the life of Margaret Eby, longtime supporter of CGNK’s vision and mission. Margaret was a participant at the 2007 Global Nonkilling Leadership Forum and an original signatory of the Affirmation of the Global Nonkilling Spirit, remaining continuously engaged with nonkilling efforts throughout the world, including CGNK’s work and the Glenn Paige Nonkilling School in Kazimia (DR Congo).

Obituary

Margaret R. Eby, 83, of Akron, died Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at her home.

Born in Farmington, DE; she was a daughter of the late Eli and Lucy (Bender) Schrock. She celebrated 55 years of marriage to Roy Z. Eby. She is greatly loved and dearly missed.

Raised in Greenwood, DE, Margaret followed her mother’s footsteps in becoming a registered nurse. Upon her pinning, Margaret joined the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and spent two years of service at Hôpital Albert Schweitzer, Deschapelles, Haiti. She returned to Philadelphia and worked in the emergency room of Jefferson Memorial Hospital. There, she met Roy, who shared an MCC experience, and they quickly married and began a family.

With early years in the city, they eventually moved to Lancaster County and purchased a motel and adjoining properties which Margaret ran and later converted into a personal care home for mentally ill. A pioneer in this industry, Margaret launched several additional homes and lead efforts that shaped industry regulations in the State of Pennsylvania and nationally. Her generosity and compassion for vulnerable individuals touched countless lives. In parallel, she lovingly raised her family on a historic active dairy farm in Paradise, Pennsylvania.

She was a faithful fiduciary to veterans and diligent manager of investments. Margaret was dedicated to schools for children in Haiti, El Salvador, and the Congo. She supported the University of Hawaii Matsunaga Institute of Peace, Center for Global Nonkilling, and numerous causes. Within Akron Mennonite Church, she led efforts to integrate refugees from the Congo.