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Margaret Ann Hughes Zelko, age 75, passed away after a brief illness July 29, 2018 in Vero Beach, Florida.
Margy was born in Britt, IA, to Dean and Helen (Munson) Hughes on July 18, 1943. After graduating from the College of Saint Teresa and Saint Marys School of Nursing at the Mayo Clinic, she was a nurse for a number of years at the New York Hospital, Cornell Medical Center in New York City where she met and married her beloved husband of 49 years, Dr. Russell R. Zelko. Later in Ithaca, NY, she pursued her passion for interior decorating and design and her love for buying and selling antiques. She loved taking courses in design at Cornell University’s College for Art, Architecture and Planning and treasured her trips to New York City’s design center and a vast array of antique shops/shows throughout Upstate New York, New England and the Southeast. Margy felt deeply that homes are sacred spaces that must be uniquely adorned and cherished to provide dignity, warmth, peace and inspiration to feed the souls of all who inhabit them. She worked tirelessly toward this end for most of her life with a remarkable eye for detail and an especially creative ability to combine colors, styles, fabrics, furniture and accessories. She was always delighted to help friends and family with design ideas and was ready and willing to help out with every move, whether to tiny apartments or larger homes. She will be dearly missed!
She was preceded in death by her parents and son, Eric Zelko. Survivors include her husband Dr. Russell R. Zelko of Vero Beach; brother Timothy (Nancy) Hughes of Rochester, NY; daughters Hilary Zelko (Stuart Donovan) of Atlanta, GA and Katherine Zelko of West Hartford, CT; and her four beloved grandchildren Angelika Zelko, Dominik, Markus and Anthony Blascak.
Arrangements for memorial to be made at the convenience of the family.
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Sis and Don Stewart - Friend
August 5, 2018, 1:00 pm
Don and I are so sad to learn of Margy’s passing. Our thoughts are with Russ and Hilary and Katie. I know how much she will be missed and even though I did not see Margy very often since she moved from Ithaca,I still felt her a friend. I do hope that the memories of her will give you all strength in the coming days. I shall forever think of her and your entire Zelko family when I pass “your” home on Cayuga Heights Rd,and remember how,beautiful,and warm it was. We send our,deepest sympathies to you all.
Susie Backstrom and Jon Minikes - Friends from Ithaca
August 7, 2018, 1:00 pm
Dear Russ, Please accept our deepest condolences on Margy’s death. We are so very sorry for your loss. We know only too well what sadness such a loss brings, but we are sure the wonderful memories you have shared with Margy will bring you comfort in the days to come. Sincerely, Susie Backstrom and Jon Minikes