“Intercession is really no more than loving people in prayer.” – Mike Mason
I met Margaret in 2010 because of her great desire to love and support her first year Hoo through intercessory prayer. She—along with our very first “Class” of MomsHooPray—prayed countless prayers for Claire and other Hoos over the next four years. During Margaret’s memorial service last November, Claire spoke about their very special relationship. As we near the anniversary of Margaret’s first breath in heaven, I am honored to share about Margaret, a mom who prayed.
Mother of a “one-is-wonderful” daughter, Margaret purposefully built numerous relationships. Thankfully I was the recipient of her intentionality. Whether in person for a nice long lunch or through thoughtful words of encouragement—she could be counted on to check in.
Before her own duodenal cancer diagnosis in 2023, she responded regularly to emails throughout my sister’s breast cancer journey. She was the fastest typist I have ever met, composing lengthy grammatically correct responses—always including heartfelt, helpful words or songs.
Margaret was a thorough researcher, generous in giving her time and talents. She was a problem solver and ready to help. She was unflappable and matter of fact, yet diplomatic. I can still hear her voice wisely responding to my latest dilemma, “Have you considered” before sharing her thoughts.
I turned to Margaret for advice and recommendations on so many things. I credit her for stopping in several beautiful small towns on our summer vacay in Michigan. And for alleviating my fears that the ugly bug I found when moving into interim housing was nothing to be concerned about. And I knew I could be completely confident in her recommendation for an excellent trust attorney.
She was a planner. Before and after she found out she had cancer, she mapped out and accomplished numerous home improvement projects. What a hard worker she was—ripping out this or that, both inside and outside to repair, create or make something function better or more beautifully.
An inveterate traveler, her cancer could not stop her from making special memories with her Hoo and her husband—including several trips to England and to Living Hope International in Zambia where she led “her kids” in song and dance and encouraged them for over 10 years into young adulthood.
Whether at a Cavaliers Basketball game or through the power of God’s word, Margaret knew the value of cheering others on. Since 2017, her carefully selected scriptures—specifically chosen to encourage new graduates— have graced the printed card enclosed in our GradHOOation Care bags.
She could be trusted to enthusiastically help set up for the NoVA MomsHooPray Kick-Off meeting each fall. And she never missed our end of year Nordstrom dinner.
Margaret willingly helped in a pinch; before my mother’s memorial service in 2021, Mom’s friend flew in from out of state. She needed a ride from Reagan Airport to Gainesville. Margaret acted as chauffeur on that first leg to the meeting point where another wonderful MomsHoo’ completed the mission.
Margaret was a lover of classical music. She adored the cello. She participated for years in the Washington Bach Consort, joined several other choral groups and pursued her love of the cello with private lessons. She avidly shared her favorite artists with others.
When I visited briefly in her last days at home, I mentioned a beautiful piece I had heard as part of some show I have since forgotten, hoping to add it to my Spotify “liked songs.” Without skipping a beat, even in her weakened state, she immediately referenced the name and composer. After I said goodbye for what I knew would be the last time, I sat in my car, located it on Spotify and wept. I cannot listen to that song without tears of sorrow.
My consolation is knowing that I will see Margaret again because of her deep faith in Christ. Throughout her illness, Margaret emailed updates which spoke often of “the good Lord.”
Her funeral was one of the most beautiful and inspiring of any I have ever attended: Listen to Margaret’s Testimony of Faith (54:07 to 1:04:54) or read my edited version below of her pastor’s remarks:
“Long before Margaret was a wife, mother, sister, dancer, singer, librarian, teacher, friend—she was a cherished child of God.
While participating with her beloved Washington Bach Consort, she experienced an epiphany that in a very real way has defined all the rest of her life.
She wanted to communicate to me the thing most true about her; at the core of her being was a quiet but deep relationship with the God she had come to know intimately—through Bach’s music.
Decades earlier, while rehearsing the lines from St. Matthew’s Passion, she reached a point where she was no longer singing the music—but rather the music was singing to her.
That moment in the story of St. Matthew’s passion where the Roman soldier, having just crucified Jesus and witnessed his death, suddenly declared that the man he had killed was indeed the Son of God.
Margaret felt the same conviction that stole over that soldier, steal over her, with a profound sense of God’s reality to and with her.
Jesus became not just a mythical or historical figure for Margaret—but rather the love of her life—the Lord for whom she bowed the knee in worship and in service. And the one upon whose face she now gazes in unmitigated delight.
Margaret told me that she had been a quiet Christian, fully living but not much speaking her faith…”
Margaret, we heard you loud and clear.
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15
Margaret Cundiff, beloved wife, loving mother, faithful friend. Feb. 2, 1953 – Oct. 22, 2025
Gabriel’s Oboe – Ennio Morricone
Voces8
End of year 2014
Grad Moms 2015
MomsHoo’ Dinner 2016
MomsHoo’ Kick-Off Lunch 2017
MomsHoo’ Dinner 2017
December 2018
September 2022
February 2024
May 2024
Mother of Bride 2025
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