Margaret Louise Colchin

Margaret Louise Colchin, age 88, of Knoxville, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord on March 1st, 2026. Born on April 3, 1937, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Margaret was the oldest daughter of Melba Victoria Sonafrank Altevogt and Arthur Herman Altevogt. Margaret graduated from Purdue University, and married Richard “Dick” Jennings Colchin, also of Fort Wayne.

Margaret was a caregiver by nature. She spent 62 years caring for her daughter, Rosanne Louise Colchin, which was a full-time job in itself. Margaret made sure that Rosie got the best care and education possible. The family lived for many years in Oak Ridge, TN and eventually moved to Knoxville, TN so that Rosie could attend the Cerebral Palsy Center.

Margaret loved tennis and was a member of the Knoxville Racquet Club. She had a gift for organization and ran tennis tournaments in both Oak Ridge and Knoxville. Margaret trained to be a tennis umpire and then trained other umpires. She was recognized as Umpire of the Year by both the Tennessee Tennis Association and the Southern Tennis Association. “Margaret and Rosie” were a team, traveling the southern United States, organizing and running college tennis tournaments.

Margaret was president of the Quantum Leap (TV science fiction show) fan club for many years. She and Rosie traveled to Quantum Leap gatherings as far as California.

Margaret is survived by her brother, John Altevogt of Edwardsville, Kansas; and her younger daughter, Cheryl Lynn (Colchin) Pettus of Hurley, NY. She has three grandchildren who she loved dearly: Ryan E. Pettus of Hurley, NY; Melanie R. (Tyler) Ross of Norwalk, CT; and Anna M. Pettus, also in Norwalk. We will miss her nightly phone calls. She is predeceased by her husband, Richard, her daughter Rosie, and her sister, Beatrice Altevogt of Swanee, Ohio.

A private memorial service will be held in New York to honor the life and legacy of Margaret. Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the family at www.berryfuneralhome.com