ATHENS, Ohio — Margaret Clara Thomas, 88, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. She was born on Nov. 23, 1936, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where she lived into her twenties. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy and McMaster University, in Hamilton, and later received a master of arts degree from Ohio University.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Margaret Pekar, as well as a daughter, Nancy Thomas; an infant son, Peter Thomas; her brother, Ed Pekar; sister-in-law Agnes Pekar; and nephew Jeff Pekar.
She is survived by daughter Kirstin Thomas of Plymouth, Minnesota, and three grandchildren: Jack Pumper of Columbus, Ohio, and Marcus Pumper and Maria Pumper, both of Plymouth, as well as nephews Chris (Marcia) Pekar and Matthew (Terrie) Pekar, of Alberta, Canada.
As the daughter of Hungarian immigrants, Margaret didn’t have the opportunity to grow up around relatives. But beginning in childhood she built family-like friendships that would last a lifetime, a talent that continued after arriving in Athens, Ohio.
Margaret came to Athens in 1965, part of a wave of newcomers to the growing Ohio University community. After teaching English as a Second Language for three years at The Ohio State University, Margaret had a long career teaching computer science at Ohio University. She had a strong commitment to engagement at OU, where she received the Emeriti Distinguished Service Award in 2019.
She was a member of the Social Literary Club, a Gourmet Group, and a longtime member of a very special luncheon group, the Ladies’ Outdoor Gardening and Karate Club, which was very much about lunches and friendship — without anyone bothering about gardening or karate. She volunteered with numerous community organizations, including the Kennedy Museum of Art and the Dairy Barn, and was an ardent supporter of the Athens Public Library.
Margaret loved classical music and opera. She began studying piano at an early age and spent years teaching piano in Athens. Her beloved baby grand piano now resides at the Athens Public Library, where it is enjoying a happy second life. Entertaining may have been her favorite pastime. She made a tradition of having parties for the Kentucky Derby and the Super Bowl — although she didn’t have much interest in horses or football, she always had an interest in hosting events for her friends.
But it wasn’t all parties, and when life required resilience, her steadfast friendships sustained her. As her health began to limit her activities, she spoke of “the end of an era” — and what an era it was.
Having left her mother, her hometown and her country in her twenties, she created a robust life and a caring family in Athens, which she leaves as a legacy to her daughter and grandchildren.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Athens, Ohio. Mass will be followed by a funeral luncheon and burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Athens Public Library. Arrangements are with Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online registry book at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.
