The Hyde Park community bid a sad farewell to well-respected writer and town historian Margaret Marquez, who passed away on Nov. 20 following a long illness. Marquez was a native Hyde Park resident who was born on the Roosevelt estate, and spent her life preserving and sharing Hyde Park history.
Town Councilman Bob Kampf (D-3rd Ward) was a friend of Marquez and said she enjoyed her 90 years as a resident of Hyde Park. “Margaret thought Hyde Park was a Garden of Eden,” said Kampf. “She loved it here … she thought Hyde Park was a very special place.”
Margaret Marquez and her husband Antonio, who survives her, were active members of the community and could often be found at Town Board meetings, said Kampf. “If something was coming up in Hyde Park that was important, they were there. Even in her last few days, she was involved with the town,” he said.
Margaret Marquez’ close association with the Roosevelt family provided her with numerous stories that she published in her book, “Hyde Park on Hudson,” and shared with friends. “Margaret had insight, and she was like a history book,” said Kampf. “Everybody just enjoyed talking to her.”
Staatsburg resident Nancy Alden, who served as Hyde Park supervisor from 1992 to 1993, also had fond memories of Marquez and her legacy in Hyde Park history.
“For a long, long, long time she was a great source of fun and information,” said Alden, who has conducted video and audio interviews of Marquez to further preserve historical information. “When you get extraordinary people, you need to preserve their contribution,” said Alden.
As a close friend of Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt, Margaret Marquez was allowed to take numerous photographs of the first family, many of which have never been seen, said Alden. “From birth, Margaret was immersed in the Roosevelts, and continued to be,” said Alden. “She realized early on that this was an important opportunity.”
Last summer, Marquez was honored as Grand Marshall in Hyde Park’s Fourth of July parade. Her enthusiasm for Hyde Park and generous nature will be deeply missed by all who knew her, and she will always be remembered for the memories she shared.
“She was a great lady who had incredible stories,” said Alden.