Margaret Brown Hess, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and faithful servant of Christ, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on December 15, 2025, at the age of 73.

Born on October 6, 1952, in Aurora, Illinois, Margaret spent her early years in Wheaton and Glen Ellyn, Illinois before eventually settling in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, where she raised her family and planted deep roots in her community. She was the loving wife of Robert Hess and devoted mother to her children, James, Madeline, and Patricia. She cherished her role as “Lolly” to her grandchildren, Oliver and Arthur, who brought her tremendous joy.

For Margaret, family was a God-given calling. She consistently put the needs of others before her own, loving with quiet strength, humility, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. Her life was marked by a gentle spirit that reflected the love of Christ to all who knew her.

Margaret came to faith in Christ in her late twenties, a turning point that shaped the rest of her life. Having known life both before and after her conversion, she was able to relate with compassion and humility to people from many different walks of life. Her testimony was marked not by judgment, but by grace, empathy, and a genuine love for others—qualities that made her ministry and friendships deeply meaningful.

Margaret had a deep devotion to the Lord and a heart for serving His people. She served for ten years as Director of Women’s Ministries at Millington Baptist Church, where she found great joy in encouraging women and helping them grow in their walk with God. She also faithfully served as a group leader with Bible Study Fellowship, mentoring countless women with wisdom, compassion, and grace.

In her quieter moments, Margaret found delight in knitting—creating blankets, sweaters, and treasured keepsakes for her grandchildren. She also loved traveling with her husband, sharing in the joy of adventure and companionship. Some of her happiest days were spent visiting her children—travels to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to see Jamie and his wife Erica; trips to Richmond, Virginia to spend time with Madeline and her husband Hayden; and many cherished moments growing close with Patricia and her new husband, Austin. Her grandchildren will always remember her tender presence and the playful back-and-forth affection that ended with her smiling reminder: “I love you more!”

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, James and Patricia Brown, her brother Joseph and brothers-in-law, Bill Hoyer and Dennis Fietz. She is survived by her devoted husband of 44 years, Robert; her children, James (Erica), Madeline Ludwig (Hayden), and Patricia Wagner (Austin); her grandchildren, Oliver and Arthur Ludwig; her five sisters, Patricia Fietz, Eileen Brown, Kathleen Hobein (Jim), Lillian Hoyer, Ruth Geisheimer, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends whose lives were enriched by her kindness, faith, and generosity of spirit.

We rejoice knowing that the hope she clung to with steadfast assurance is now fully realized in the presence of her Savior.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness.”

— 2 Timothy 4:7–8

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026 from 4:00 - 8:00pm at Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, 1 E Oak St, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 at 11:00am. Burial will follow at Somerset Hills Memorial Park, Basking Ridge. For further information, or to leave an online condolence message please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Market Street Mission - Morristown, NJ. Donation can me made online at www.marketstreet.org