Durango lost a truly extraordinary person when Margaret Ptolemy passed away.

Margaret absolutely was one of the most unique and special people I have ever met. I feel fortunate to have had her mentorship and friendship.

When I worked at Fort Lewis College, I often visited with Margaret and was guided by her unique curiosity of the world. Later, when I was the interim executive director at the Durango Arts Center, she called me, and we chatted for well over an hour about her love of the Durango Arts Center and about its early history.

I am fortunate that I know all her children and believe they were nurtured and loved by a woman who possessed such diverse qualities and who had spunk, a great sense of humor and a genuine zest for life. When I was in high school and visited the Ptolemy home, I was absolutely taken aback that Margaret allowed her children’s friends to place their autograph on the wall leading to the downstairs family room.

For some reason, I could not convince my own mother to allow such creativity in our house. It will be indeed an honor to make a donation to the Durango Arts Center in memory of Margaret’s many contributions to the art world in Durango and elsewhere.

I have so many positive memories of this truly singular woman.

Sheri Rochford Figgs

Arboles