MONKTON, Md.--Margaret Howard Worrall, accomplished writer, dedicated environmentalist, and prominent figure in steeplechase racing, passed away peacefully on Dec. 20, 2023, at the age of 81 with her beloved husband Douglas at her side.

"Margaret died Dec. 20 of heart valve failure which was discovered last August," said Doug.. "Her stroke suffered in October 2020 was not the cause of death."

"We were married in 1963, me chosen because I was the only Episcopalian she knew who had horses (or so was reported her saying as a 12 year old)," Doug said. "We had a great 60 years, winning some and losing some but none the less having one hell of a good time.

"Thank you Margaret."

Born April 25, 1942 and raised in Baltimore County, Margaret was the adored daughter of Mary Katherine Sheppard Sappington and Henry Otto deFries.

In her youth, she developed a profound love for the Maryland hunt country, an affection that would shape her life's work.

After graduating as valedictorian of her class, she went on to earn her degree in English attending Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.

 

HER LEGACY is one of passion, dedication, and tireless contributions to the fields she loved.

Margaret's commitment to preserving the Maryland countryside was reflected in her early environmental efforts.

In the 1970s, she and Doug were some of the first landowners to place their farm, Scanden, in the Maryland Environmental Trust.

Margaret continued her environmental advocacy by serving as the Executive Director of the Valleys Planning Council from 1991 to 1995.

Margaret was a lifelong enthusiast and trailblazer in the world of steeplechasing and equestrian sport.

In 1995, she became the first female member of the Maryland Hunt Cup Committee, later serving as Executive Secretary from 1998 to 2006.

Margaret foxhunted, showed horses, and served as the District Commissioner of the Green Spring Hounds Pony Club.

The capstone of her horse passion came when her horse, Von Csadek, won the 1992 Maryland Hunt Cup on her birthday.'

Margaret's career as a writer produced numerous magazine articles and eight books, including notable works such as "The History of the Green Spring Valley Hunt Club," "100 Runnings of the Maryland Hunt Cup," and "The My Lady’s Manor Races, 1909-2009".

Her illustrious career also included 10 years as an administrative judge on the Baltimore County Board of Appeals, Dorchester County area representative for the Maryland Environmental Trust and popular high school English teacher at Garrison Forest School.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Margaret was a dedicated volunteer, founding both St. Mark’s Church and St. John’s Church nursery schools, and was on the vestry of St. John’s Church in Butler, Md.

Her commitment extended to various committees and boards, including the Historic Hampton Woman’s Committee, St. John’s Church vestry in Cornersville, Md., Green Spring Hounds House Committee, and the Maryland Horse Industry Board’s Historic Horse Trails.

Margaret is survived by her husband of 60 years, Douglas Geoffrey Worrall, her sisters, Zoe (Sappington) Verly and her husband Reinier of Israel, and Hilly Bell and her husband Wayne Sody of Shrewsbury, Pa., and her brothers, Courtney Sappington and his wife Carolyn Berry of Maplewood, N.J., Russell DeFries, Chip DeFries, and Patrick Kimo DeFries.

She is the beloved mother of Patrick Worrall and his wife Kristen of Austin, Texas and Caroline Worrall and her husband Steven Munger of Gainesville, Fla., as well as grandmother to four grandchildren, Garrett, Gwynn, Field and Peter. Her brother, Michael DeFries, preceded her in death.

A memorial service will be held at St. James Church in Monkton, Md., on January 6 at 2 PM, followed by a reception at the parish hall to celebrate Margaret's remarkable life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Valleys Planning Council or St. James Church.

Margaret’s contributions to steeplechasing, environmental conservation, and the Maryland community will be remembered with deep admiration and gratitude.

May her unwavering dedication continue to inspire generations to come.

From Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foudation