Former Rochester resident, Margaret E. Zumbaugh 82, of New Albany passed away at 3:15 PM, Thursday, April 15, 2021 in the Pulaski Health Care Center, Winamac.
On December 5, 1938, Margaret Ellen Jarred was born in Swannington, Norfolk England. She was a treasured daughter of Arthur and Louisa Eastoe Jarred. Growing up she shared her childhood with two sisters Hazel and Dorcas and a brother Keith.
Margaret met the love of her life, Mr. Wayne S. Zumbaugh while he was stationed in England with the United States Air Force. Their romance flourished and they married on December 30, 1961 in England. The young couple returned to the US following his stint in the service. Margaret later received her United States citizenship. She and Wayne shared 24 years together. Sadly, he passed on November 10, 1985. From their union came two daughters Julie and Celena. The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of two more generations.
With a lifelong passion for ALL animals, Margaret had a reverence for ALL things in nature, including trees, the air, & the land.
She would say that her Church was outside in a pasture and that her favorite hymns were the birdsong (the choir) and gentle breezes through the leaves on the trees (the woodwinds).
As a young girl, Margaret loved & cared for Guinea Pigs, Rabbits, cats and anything else she could smuggle home. As a teenager, she would ride her bicycle to a nearby horse stable, working for the owner, in return to learn about horse care, and later horseback riding and show jumping.
Margaret meticulously wrote in her journal's everything she learned. Many years later, she bought her very own horse, when she and Wayne bought a small farm in Fulton County, where they raised Arabian horses, cows, pigs, geese, ducks, chickens & rabbits. Margaret even bottle fed, raised by hand, around the clock, an orphaned, newborn colt. Injured, ill or unwanted animals, fur or feathered, received her love, comfort & gentle care, 365/24/7. Margaret also loved deer, squirrels, raccoons, possums, birds...especially hummingbirds that came annually to the kitchen window sugar-water feeder. Margaret felt her calling in life was to be one of God’s animal caretakers and we know she was one of the very best.
Left to cherish Margaret's memory are her daughters: Julie Lewis and husband Christopher of New Albany, Celena Watson and husband Tom of Argos; three granddaughters: Lisa Malloy and husband AT, Shelby Foster and husband Andrew, Meghan Watson; three great-grandchildren with another blessing due to arrive in September; a sister Hazel Massingham and husband Herbert of England; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding Margaret in death are her parents, beloved husband Wayne a sister Dorcas Downs and a brother Keith Jarred.
A graveside service celebrating the life of Margaret Ellen Zumbaugh will be at 3:30 PM, April 16, 2021 at the Richland Center Cemetery. Chaplain Jason See will officiate. Memorials may be made to your local animal shelter. Please spay and neuter your pets.
