Margaret Ann Warder, a communications and public relations professional for more than three decades in New York City, passed peacefully on Oct. 6, 2012 after battling ALS for more than two years.
Marge was born June 18, 1940 in Buffalo, N.Y. to Thomas and Norma Warder. The Warder family moved to Newport News, Va. during WWII, and after the war moved to Southern California, where Marge grew up. She attended Pomona Catholic High School.
In 1956 the family moved to Joliet, Ill., where she graduated from St. Francis Academy and from there went to West Virginia University, obtaining a B.S. in home economics.
After two years as a stewardess for Pan American Airlines, traveling all over the globe, Marge went to work for TR Sills, an advertising agency in New York City where one of her first clients was Gatorade. She became adept at creating recipes and using the products of clients.
With her engaging personality, she positioned the products on live television and radio in markets across America.  This experience eventually led to a position as vice president of the broadcast department at the worldwide public relations agency of Burson-Marsteller. There Marge used her knowledge of on-air presentation and communications strategies to train leading public figures and executives for clients such as Merrill Lynch, Burger King, Owens- Corning Fiberglas and Johnson and Johnson.
In 1982, Marge formed Warder Communications, utilizing her experience, skills and contacts for a list of clients including Domino’s Pizza, Thomas J. Lipton Company and Novartis. She trained Olympic skiing legend Jean Claude Killy, physical fitness trainer Jack LaLane, Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas and baseball manager Sparkey Anderson.
In 2001, Marge moved to Tryon. She skied often, loved travel and enjoyed hosting friends for dinner. She fulfilled her lifelong love of horses from the time she rode bareback in the orange groves of Southern California, to riding in Central Park, to joining two hunt clubs in Tryon and riding her beloved quarter horse, Monty. She chased foxes and took in rescue dogs.
When diagnosed with ALS two years ago, Marge moved to Louisiana to be near her sister, Carrie.
Although she came to Louisiana knowing only her beloved dog Katie, Marge found many compassionate and caring friends who touched her life, especially the wonderful staff at Sunrise Senior Living, Concerned Care Hospice, her loving caregivers from Home Care Solutions and the many horses (and their owners) who visited her at Sunrise and who welcomed Marge to their farms.
She is survived by her sister, Carolyn Bartlett, and her brothers, Thomas and Michael.
A memorial service and burial will be held at a later date in West Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either New Heights Therapeutic Riding, Inc. P.O. Box 1283, Folsom, La. 70437 or Wheatens In Need, 417 River Bend Dr., Blanco, Texas 78606.