Obituary of Margaret M. Baum

Albany, NY- Margaret Mary Baum passed away on October 13, 2021, after several years of ill health. She was four months shy of her centennial birthday, which she was determined to see. Margaret Wilt was born in Johnstown, NY and attended the University of Plattsburg for a time, with dreams of becoming a fashion designer. However, she never forgot the football star from her hometown, Joseph Baum, who had captured her heart at only thirteen years old and kept a picture of him from the local newspaper in a locket. They met again and after a whirlwind wartime romance, she left university and they married in 1941. After their posting to Alamogordo, NM during the war, they settled in Rensselaer, NY. 

She devoted her life to raising their five accomplished children but never lost her touch with the needle, making and mending most of their clothing and soft furnishings. She also cultivated her green thumb and loved to paint flowers, crochet, and roller skate. After her children left her cozy nest, she and Joe travelled the world, going to far-flung places such as England, the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Austria, Hong Kong, mainland communist China, and Egypt. Her favorite trip, however, was their second honeymoon to Hawaii, which she fondly remembered for decades. After being widowed in 1995, she continued to travel, visiting family in Turkey – where she visited Ephesus on her own – Morocco, and Spain. She also climbed several of the Adirondack high peaks in her sixth decade. 

A devoted Catholic, she spent her last few years at the Teresian House and passed away peacefully Wednesday morning. Her spirit will live on in her five children: Joseph Baum, Jr.; Mary Anne (Maude) Baum; Barbara Anne Grub; Elizabeth Baum-Isager; and Patricia Wallis; six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. 

A Mass of Catholic Burial will be held at 11am, Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at Holy Trinity Church, 205 Glebe St., Johnstown, NY. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, E. State St., Johnstown, NY. In lieu of flowers please send a donation to a charity of your choice in memory of Margaret.