Margot Ann Ladwig, 88, of Santa Barbara, California, and Evanston, passed away on Jan. 26 after a long illness.
Ladwig was born on Aug. 17, 1934, to Paul and Irma Merryweather (Oetjen) in Oak Park, Illinois.
After graduating from Oak Park River Forest High School in 1952, she studied art at The Art Institute of Chicago and worked at Northern Trust Bank-Chicago.
In 1959, she reconnected with OPRF alum James Albert Ladwig of River Forest, and they married in 1960. The couple had three children, Michael, David and Jennifer.
Throughout motherhood, Ladwig pursued her love for art and expression through silverwork, jewelry, photography and pottery.
An entrepreneur who opened the Wild Goose Chase Quilt Gallery in 1974, Ladwig and Harriet Friedlander founded the Evanston Farmers’ Market in 1975.
Ladwig was an active member in civic groups, such as Evanston District 65 PTA, the Evanston Historical Society, Santa Fe Women’s Club, League of Women Voters and Kitchen Angels. In 1994, she received the Angel Heart Award from Kitchen Angels.
A passionate art lover, Ladwig also made time to express her vision with her interior design; Better Homes and Gardens magazine featured her homes numerous times. In addition, the magazine hired her as a regional scout for the U.S. southwest.
At her home in Santa Fe, she held pottery classes. She lived briefly in Elmhurst, Illinois, making friends wherever she went. We will miss her greatly.
Ladwig was predeceased by her ex-husband James, daughter Jennifer and sister Joan. She is survived by her sons, Michael, wife Theresa (Peters), and David, wife Kate (Roth), as well as grandchildren Connor, Taylor and Charles, sister June and nieces Karen and Kristie.
There will be a memorial service in Evanston in the near future. Details are not yet available.