Margaret Eichhorn Westin
June 14, 1936 – July 17, 2025
Margaret Eichhorn Westin, 89, of Pawling, New York passed away peacefully on July 17, 2025.
Margaret was the wife of the late Norman W. Westin. She was born in Columbia, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late John and Dorothea Eichhorn. Margaret had lifelong ties to Lancaster County, PA, where she grew up surrounded by a close-knit family. While she lived in New York State most of her adult life, she remained deeply connected to Lancaster County and to her brothers, John Eichhorn and Richard Eichhorn, both still living in the area.
Margaret earned her BA from Pratt Institute in 1958, where she met her husband, Norman, and an MA in Education from NYU in 1960. She pursued a 30-year career in higher education, teaching clothing, textiles, and fashion design at institutions including NYU and Marymount College. A highlight of her time at Marymount was her production of the annual spring fashion show featuring her students’ original designs.
After retiring from higher education, she authored You Can Make a Dinosaur and Eat It Too, a children’s activity book that combined healthy eating with creativity. She brought the book to life through beloved programs in schools and libraries for nearly three decades.
Over the years, Margaret tended a prolific garden every summer, preserved tomato sauce by the quart, and shared baked goods and home-grown vegetables with neighbors and friends. Her home was filled with the artwork of her grandchildren, with whom she shared a special bond.
Margaret is survived by her children, Richard (Irene) and Claudia (Chris Grey); six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; her brothers, John (Audrey) and Richard; and other family and friends.
A private graveside and burial service will be held at Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens in Columbia, PA, and a celebration of her life in Pawling, NY will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Margaret’s memory to a local library, garden, or arts education program. Arrangements are by the Workman Funeral Homes, Inc., 31 South Eighth Street, Columbia, PA. To send an online condolence, visit the condolence page.