Margaret Alstyne

MADISON-Margaret Hudson Van Alstyne, 86, died unexpectedly at Meriter Hospital on Friday, December 14, 2012. A number of her family were at her side.

Margaret was born September 21, 1926 in Buffalo, NY to Joseph L. Hudson II and Elizabeth Gilbert Hudson. She graduated from Vassar College in 1949. She married W. Scott Van Alstyne, Jr. in Buffalo in June 1949. They moved that summer to Madison, WI where Margaret did research in the U.W. Department of Bacteriology under Professor Elizabeth McCoy.

After raising her two children she worked at the Wisconsin Cancer Registry. Her lifelong love and study of the natural world around her led to her involvement with the U.W. Arboretum. She was hired as an Arboretum Guide June 6, 1978. She particularly enjoyed sharing the wonders of the natural world with groups of school children just as she had with her own children. She was on the first Board of Directors when the Friends of the Arboretum incorporated in 1989 and served for six years. She was involved in many fund raising activities for the Arboretum including the first Plant Sale Committee and served as its chair in 1992 and 1993. She was a major financial supporter of the Arboretum including donating the Jens Jensen inspired Council Ring adjacent to Curtis Prairie. Her passion for and support of the Arboretum, particularly regarding the preservation and restoration of Wisconsin's native prairie, continued to her death.

Her other conservation interests are reflected in her generous support of the species preservation efforts of the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, WI and of the land management efforts of the The Nature Conservancy.

Margaret will be remembered for her good hearted and caring nature, her generosity of spirit and substance, her broad fund of knowledge and lifelong willingness to share and to expand it, the focus and perseverance she would bring to bear on problems personal or otherwise, and her profound courage in facing the limitations of aging she experienced.

Margaret is survived by her two children. Gretchen A. Van Alstyne, M.D. of Rocky Hill, CT. Hunter S. Van Alstyne and his wife Maggie of Athens, WI. Her grandchildren Lisa, Anna, and David Van Alstyne. Her brother Joseph L. and Jean Hudson of Grosse Pointe, MI. Her brother J. Gilbert Hudson of Grosse Pointe Shores, MI. Seven nephews and nieces including nephew Joseph L. Hudson IV and his wife Lydie of Madison, WI.

A memorial service to celebrate Margaret's life will be held at the U.W. Arboretum at Margaret's Council Ring on Sunday, June 2, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made by contacting Susan Halverson, Donor Relations Specialist, UW-Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy, Madison, WI 53711 or the International Crane Foundation at www.savingcranes.org .