Margaret Ellen Hallden, 95, was born January 16, 1931, in West Terre Haute, Indiana, and died July 27, 2026. She passed quietly at a long term care facility in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Margaret grew up in West Terre Haute, Indiana, attended Indiana State Teacher’s College, and subsequently spent seventy years of her life in Baldwin, NY, after marrying her beloved husband, Andrew R. Hallden. In every season of her life, she carried herself with steady grace and a deep sense of responsibility to the people and places she called home.
She served her community with quiet devotion—as a Girl Scout Brownie den mother, a hospital volunteer, and a Sunday School teacher. At St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, she also made history as the first woman council member, offering thoughtful leadership and a principled presence that helped shape the life of the congregation.
Margaret’s love of the natural world was a constant source of joy. She was active in Monarch Watch, and her home in Baldwin was recognized as an official monarch Way Station. An avid gardener, she tended both flower and vegetable gardens in Baldwin, as well as on the family property on Richmond Creek in Peconic, NY—places where her patience and care were evident in what she cultivated.
Her interests were many and reflected a lively, capable spirit: photography, carpentry, and sports including sailing, bowling, and ice skating. She also remained a dedicated student well into her late 70’s, taking Latin courses at Nassau Community College and enjoying piano lessons—pursuits that spoke to a lifelong commitment to learning and growth.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew R. Hallden, and her daughter, Patricia Hallden-Abberton.
She is survived by her son, James Hallden; her grandchildren, Lauren, Jennifer, and Alex Hallden-Abberton (Pat’s children); and her great grandson, Jasper (Lauren’s child). She is also survived by her beloved lifelike robot dog Buddy who was her constant companion through good times and bad since 2020. In later years, she especially delighted in her grandchildren and beamed at family gatherings in her role as matriarch.
No services are scheduled at this time. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/murfreesboro-tn
Please Join Our FREE Newsletter!
