Margaret McSwiney Hutchinson

Margaret McSwiney Hutchinson, 81, died on January 25, 2026 after a brief battle with cancer. Born November 15, 1944, in Nashville, Tennessee, she was the beloved daughter of James and Jewell McSwiney. Margaret’s life was marked by teaching, growing organizations, and extraordinary devotion to the people she loved.

At just three months old she moved with her parents and her older brother Ron to Brunswick, Georgia. At age twelve they relocated to Dayton, Ohio—a transition that helped shape the resilient, adaptable spirit that defined her throughout her life. She went on to earn a B.A. in Sociology from Mount Holyoke College, bringing to everything she did intelligence, curiosity about people, and a practical warmth that made others feel seen.

In 1966, Margaret married James Hutchinson (1944-2025). After their marriage, she taught first grade in Rochester New York, beginning a lifelong pattern of investing in children—not only through her work, but through her attention, encouragement, and belief in what young people could become. Margaret and James welcomed two sons, Richard (1971) and Scott (1974). She was an extraordinary mother—steadfast, engaged, and profoundly important throughout her sons’ lives. While raising her children, she poured her energy into their schools, volunteering actively at both preschool and elementary school, always finding a way to strengthen the community around her family.

In 1980, Margaret moved to Bethesda, Maryland, where she lived for the next 25 years. There she became Director of Concord St. Andrews Nursery School, a role that reflected her gifts for leadership, organization, and care. Margaret’s marriage ended in 1982, and after the divorce Margaret continued to care for her sons and adapted her life in remarkable ways.

Margaret began her business career at Mead Data Central (later LexisNexis), where she rose through the ranks of the sales organization with the same qualities she brought to every part of her life: competence, clarity, grit, and generosity. Her excellence was recognized with the company’s lifetime achievement award. Soon after, Margaret left LexisNexis to become the first President and CEO of LexisNexis Special Services, Inc., where she launched and laid the foundations for a business that has since grown into a $500 million enterprise. Upon retiring, Margaret moved back to her roots, relocating to Sea Island, GA. She continued to lead and serve as a board member and later board chair for Ultra-Met.

Yet if you asked Margaret what mattered most, she would have answered without hesitation: family and friends. In her own words, they were always the center of her life. She was a loving daughter who cared for her parents in their later years, a devoted sister who cared for her brother and sister-in-law, and a steady presence to a wide circle who were blessed to be drawn into her care. Cousins thought of her as a sister. Friends became family. Perhaps nothing delighted her more than her role as “Grammy”—a title she carried with pride and joy—cherishing her grandchildren with the tenderness and attention that came so naturally to her.

Margaret was an extraordinarily caring and capable person, and she touched the lives of many. Her legacy is found not only in her professional accomplishments, but in the countless ways she showed up—thoughtfully, consistently, and with love.

Margaret is survived by her sons, Richard and Scott, their spouses, Lesley and Emily, and her grandchildren, Will, Alec, Audrey, and Hattie.

A service celebrating Margaret’s life will be held at Christ Church on St. Simons Island at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to donate to the charity of your choice, in keeping with Margaret’s spirit of generous giving. She supported nature (including the St. Simons Land Trust), education (including Sinclair College), and a wide range of organizations serving people in need.