Margaret (Bonnie) MacInnes Meagher, Millbrook, passed away peacefully under the care of Hospice on December 21, 2024 after a long illness. Bonnie was born in New York City on November 28,1940, to Mr. and Mrs. C. Ranald (Ran and Margaret) MacInnes. The family moved to Devon, Pennsylvania when Bonnie was five, which is where she spent the most of her childhood. She graduated from the Agnes Irwin School in Bryn Mawr, PA (1958). As a child she was an avid, competitive figure skater. She attended Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, graduating in 1962 with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts. Upon graduation, she spent one memorable summer in Washington, D.C. as an intern in the Kennedy Administration White House.
While a student at Vassar, she was introduced to a young, handsome businessman named Raymond E. Meagher, Jr., whom she would ultimately marry in August 1963. He predeceased her, passing away in February 2023. They were blessed with nearly sixty years of a beautiful marriage filled with many community endeavors, lots of world travel, the enjoyment of family and friends, and personal commitments to life-long learning.
Together they had two children, Ranald (Ran) MacInnes Meagher and James (Jamie) Stewart Meagher of New Milford, Connecticut, and New York City, respectively.
Before starting a family, she taught at Arlington High School; when the boys were school-aged, she taught at Dutchess Day School (DDS) in Millbrook and went on to enjoy a long, storied career there, having both of her sons as students (Jamie twice!), but also having the privilege of influencing the lives of many students over the years. She rounded out her career at DDS serving as Director of Admissions.
While Bonnie was small in stature, she was clearly a force to be reckoned. She was a woman of grace and presence, with a remarkable spirit, strength and resilience and left an indelible mark on all who knew her. While Bonnie had many volunteer pursuits, she was likely proudest of her work on behalf of the Foundation Board for Vassar Brothers Medical Center. She spent many years of service on the Board, becoming Chair in 1997 through 2000. As Chair, she oversaw the $20 Million capital campaign undertaken to support construction of the west wing addition (new cardiac center, operating rooms, and labor/delivery/post-parturition center) and the Dyson Center for Cancer Care.
She was also a passionate Vassar College alumnae and remained active in association activities well into her 70's, including serving as Chair of her class's 50th College Reunion Committee. She is also a former Board Member of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley. Her love for gardening was evident in every bloom. She was a member of the Millbrook Garden Club as well as a long-time member of the Millbrook Golf & Tennis Club. She had a real love for tennis, and was a novice (but determined) skier.
In addition to being survived by her sons, Bonnie is also survived by her grandson John (Jack) Mulvey Meagher (son of Ran, and a Junior at Hobart and William Smith Colleges) as well as two adoring women who meant the world to her: Ulka Patel (long-time partner of Ran Meagher) and ex-daughter-in-law, Ann Chambers Meagher (Millbrook).  Many wonderful cousins also survive in CT, PA, and MA, as well as special extended families of friends related to her more than fifty years in Mad River Glen in the Green Mountains of Vermont, and more than forty years spending wonderful summers at Squam Lake in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Visitation will be held at Allen Funeral Home, 3270 Franklin Ave., Millbrook, NY on Sunday, December 29 from 3 – 6 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial in her honor will be offered on Monday, December 30 at 10am at St. Joseph's Church, North Ave., Millbrook. Interment will follow at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Foundation for Vassar Brothers Medical Center.