Margaret J. Van Hoorebeke

Margaret Jean Allen Van Hoorebeke, age 85, of Chadds Ford, PA passed away on February 24, 2026 at home, surrounded with love from her children and their spouses.  She was the wife of Edward Van Hoorebeke, age 85, who predeceased her by only 12 days on February 12, 2026.  Margaret and Ed were rarely separated once their love story began in high school; they were together for 71 years, and married since February 29, 1960. 

Born in Joplin, Missouri, on February 24, 1941, she was the cherished daughter of the late James Gilbert and Thelma Jeanette Allen, and starting life on their farm with her brothers and sister.  Margaret graduated from Joplin High School and began bookkeeping in order to help put her new husband through college, and beginning their life together.  Ed’s job with DuPont took them from Joplin to Wilmington, DE, then to Monroe, CT and finally to Chadds Ford, PA, as Margaret made a home in each place for her growing family. 

Living by the rule ‘actions speak louder than words’, Margaret’s actions centered on supporting and encouraging her family, making sure that her children were as prepared as possible to find their places in the world.  Finding a spiritual home at Westminster Presbyterian in Wilmington for her husband Ed and children Krissa and Eddy, she began by teaching Sunday school, shepherding children to swim lessons and serving as schoolroom mother at Foulk Road Elementary. Reading, sewing and baking seemed to be her favorite pastimes, as curtains materialized on windows and chocolate chip cookies were consumed by the handful.  Summer trips back to Joplin were spent riding horses and setting off fireworks with aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.

Transplanted by DuPont to CT, her time was spent snow camping as a Girl Scout leader, enchanting her children and customers as an Avon lady, cheering her son’s red racer at Pinewood Derby races, temping at Reed’s department store and again making her house into a home for her family. Their last move to PA brought her 2 younger sons, Kerrick and Brendan, and her days were again filled with the important things in life: corralling Cub Scouts as den mother, tending the rhubarb until it was a pie, exploring state parks, cheering at soccer, softball and Little League games, applauding at music recitals, concerts, plays and musicals, tent camping at Assateague, sharing the wide world with her family and in all things, teaching by doing.  Summer trips now ventured to exploring the West’s national parks with her husband and sons, and visits to her brother Bob in AZ.  Margaret loved mysteries and country western music, imparting her love of both to her children.  As time went on, Margaret delighted as her children married and brought their children to visit, and they in turn brought their children to visit.

Margaret’s life was punctuated by family.  She made a point of not just telling, but showing her children and their children by her example that they could accomplish what they set out to do. Margaret will be so missed by her family and friends – may we all follow in her footsteps, and in so doing enrich each other’s lives as she did.

She is survived by her children, Krissa (Christopher), Edward (Joanne), Kerrick (Natalie) and Brendan (Crystal), 10 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren with 2 more coming this year, as well as her brother Bob Allen and his wife Betty and many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her husband Edward, sister Shirley, brothers Jimmy and Billy, and her parents.  

There will be a private memorial gathering.  Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America.

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