Marguerita Elizabeth Calder

Margot was born in Sheffield, a small coal mining village in the north of England. The daughter of a country doctor, Margot inherited her humanitarianism and desire to uplift vulnerable communities from her father – crediting his commitment to community service as a formative influence in her life. A graduate of Queen Margaret College, University of Edinburgh, Margot travelled the world, living in South Africa, Sri Lanka and Brazil.

In London, she met the love of her life and soulmate, Richard Calder (a native of New Zealand), on a blind date, the first chapter of a passionate and unwavering love affair. They moved to Brazil where they lived for two years before settling in the United States to raise their two daughters Caitlin and Fenna. Richard predeceased Margot in 2015.

Margot’s early career as a speech-language pathologist and a dedicated fundraiser for a local musical theatre group paved the way for her life’s work with the Brazilian American Youth Cultural Exchange (BRAYCE), a charity which she founded in 2005 with Richard. For 20 years, BRAYCE has been supporting at risk youth in Brazil, bringing them to Connecticut for life and leadership skills training. BRAYCE has changed and impacted the lives of more than 40 young people, all of whom remain deeply grateful to Margot and Richard.

Margot and her family built a rich life in Chester as active members of the community. Their home was filled with love, friends, joy, music (bossa nova), fresh flowers and homegrown vegetables, ongoing renovations, not to mention a countless array of animals, including sheep, hens, a rooster, cats and dogs - and a few mice too. Margot was famous for her colorful and lively dinner parties which were traditionally followed by dancing and late-night charades. She loved tending her massive garden, being a member of the Herb Society and of the choir at the Episcopal Church in Essex. Margot was known for her bright glamourous fashion style which always involved pearls, lipstick, and her unique, witty humor and joie de vivre. She entered a room with elegance.

Margot is survived by her devoted daughters Caitlin (Jose), and Fenna (Merritt), and her beloved grandchildren Nicolas, Isabel and Hugh, as well as her stepchildren Rachel (Dan), and Toby (Gislene) and their dear children Jack, Milo, Tilly, Arthur and Hugo. Margot leaves to mourn extended family in the UK and Brazil and many, many close friends from every corner of the world.

There are no words to describe the magnitude of our loss.

A Celebration of Margot’s life will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, 3 Cross Street, Essex, CT on May 3 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to BRAYCE, https://brayce.org/donate/.