Margo Hester Roff

Published 9:59 am Friday, March 14, 2025

Margo Hester Roff of Tryon, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 10th, 2025 at her home. She was 89.

A native Tryonite, she was born on September 30, 1935. Margo’s formative years were spent at Mimosa Inn in Lynn, where her parents, Waverly and Sarah Hester, were innkeepers. Lessons of Southern cordiality and conversation were engrained in both Margo and her older brother, Erwin, as they were expected to interact with guests. Some of Margo’s happiest childhood memories were learning about the greater world from erudite Inn guests, sitting on a kitchen stool with the cook, Frances McCracken, eating pound cake or fried chicken gizzards, driving along narrow mountain roads with her father (who developed Gillette Woods), and enjoying trail rides through the Hunting Country on sleek Thoroughbred horses from Newman’s Stable.

Margo’s regular education began at age 4 with a daily walk up the Inn’s driveway to Tryon Country Day School. She matriculated through Tryon Schools, St. Mary’s School, Converse College and the University of Arizona, capping off her education with a master’s degree in Sociology. Margo was meticulous about the pursuit of knowledge and lexicology and plant taxonomy.  As a member of the first Master Gardener Program in Polk County, she delighted in trying to stump County Extension Director, John Vining, with plant identification questions.

A small farm, a short distance from where Margo grew up, was her haven for over 60 years.  She and her husband, Bill, tended a large organic garden, and grew or raised most of their food.  Margo was also a Girl Scout Leader. For many years, the Roffs offered their property each summer for Girl Scout Day Camp. In her later years, you could find Margo mowing her grass (well into her 80’s), tending her garden and collecting eggs to sell at Nature’s Storehouse.

Margo is survived by daughters, Mary Long and Carolyn Henry, their husbands, four grandchildren, a niece, a nephew and a bevy of chickens and goats. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Roff.

The family would like to thank a wonderful group of caregivers, Barbara, Belinda, Buffy, Caroline, Lisa, Margaret, Misty, Nancy, Sandra and Tracy, who provided Margo with care and kindness during the end stage of her life.

No service is planned per her request; however, Margo would likely approve if you grew summer tomatoes and okra in her memory.

Condolences to the family can be made to http://www.sandersfuneralandcremation.com

Sanders Funeral Home

Columbus