Margaret Hutchison Rennie Sims

Margaret Rennie Sims departed her earthly life peacefully on October 1, 2021 with her children and dear friend Cathy Emrick at her side. 

Margaret was born on February 21 1936, to James Gordon and Margaret Hutchison Rennie in Richmond, VA. She attended Ginter Park Elementary, Chandler Junior High, and Thomas Jefferson High Schools in Richmond VA, and Queens College in Charlotte NC. With the influence of her parents, she was musical from a very young age. She played viola in the Charlotte Symphony, taught piano in her home for many years, was organist and choir director at Cary Presbyterian Church, and sang many years in the choir at First Presbyterian Church in Durham. She worked over 20 years as Assistant to the Registrar at Duke University in Durham, NC prior to her retirement in 2001.

In addition to her musical interests, she especially enjoyed ball room and shag dancing as a member of both the Fred Astaire Dance Studio and the Eno Beach Shag Club, primarily in the last two decades of her life.

Margaret was a free spirit, a lover of birds and other wildlife, and tended her yard as a natural sanctuary.  Notably she sowed wildflower seeds, each year has grown her prized lantana, and even saw the value of blackberries as a food source for birds!  She loved children and endeared herself to many over the years, including not only her own family’s but those of her neighboring families. 

Margaret is survived by her son R Gordon Sims of Bainbridge Island, WA; daughter Margaret Christine Sims and son-in-law James M D’Angelo of Bradenton, FL; granddaughters Elizabeth Hejtmancik of Bali, Indonesia and Lois Bronwyn, and her husband Ryan Bronwyn and great-grandchildren Chloe and Neal Bronwyn of Rockville, MD; sister Agnes R. Smith of Richmond, VA; loving nieces and nephews, as well as countless other relatives and friends who honored her as she honored them. 

Margaret’s family extends their deep appreciation to her many caregivers, throughout her life, at Duke Medical Center, and especially to those at the Duke Cancer Center/Palliative Care and Duke Hospice who tended and guided her through the last 10 challenging months.  As well, the family extends sincere thanks to the staff of Hall-Wynne Funeral Services, who lovingly cared for Margaret’s remains, and who provided space and guidance for a beautiful cremation ceremony attended by close family.  Online remembrances may be left at www.hallwynne.com.

A musical celebration in her honor will be held on Saturday Nov 6^th, 1pm, at First Presbyterian Church, 305 East Main Street, Durham, NC 27701.  Attendees are invited to wear clothing that evokes the beauty and color of birds, flowers, and the brilliant grandeur of our Earth!

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Duke Hospice, 4321 Medical Park Dr Suite 101, Durham, NC 27704; or Piedmont Wildlife Center, 364 Leigh Farm Rd, Durham, NC 27707.