WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. —  It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Margaret (Neyland) Altmann, but much gratitude for a life well lived. Margaret died peacefully on Monday, October 19th, 2026, at the Berkshire Medical Facility just one month short of her 100th birthday.

Margaret was born on November 13, 1926, the daughter of John B. Neyland and Catherine (Maher) Neyland.

Margaret (affectionally referred to as Oma, Mutti and Peggy) came from humble beginnings-growing up during the Great Depression. She was born and raised in Williamstown Massachusetts, along with her five siblings where her family owned and operated a small general store. She often told stories of the horse drawn ice cart coming down the lane or the times that she went to grade school without lunch, and her teachers always came through with peanut butter and jelly.

After graduating high school, Peggy obtained her undergraduate degree and master’s in education from Wisconsin University and Harvard respectively and went on to follow her dream of becoming a schoolteacher.

In her spare time, Peggy was an adventurous soul and always on the move. She and her sister Marjorie would work summers at camp in the Adirondacks and spend days off hiking and climbing the many nearby mountain peaks.

Tennis was also a major part of Peggy's life, which in one form or another she played into her 90's.? Not only was it a passion for her, but it was also instrumental in how she met the love of her life?Eberhart Altmann.? While on a teaching assignment in Germany, she met and played with his brother and family at a tennis club and from there it was they who introduced the couple and it was a "match" made in heaven.

Eb and Peggy set roots in Vermont where they eventually purchased 11 acres in Hinesburg and built their home in the country where cows and horses were abundant.?In this beautiful country setting, Eb and Peggy established a thriving business they managed together called Sunny Mead Gardens which allowed them to continue their common passion for perennial plants well into their retirement years.

As a teacher, "Mutti" was so generous with her summers off and hosted Eb's Boys (sometimes with friends) for a month every summer acting as activity director, planning day trips, playing tennis, gardening, hiking and skiing. In her later years, she continued her passion for both tennis and paddle ball and had a strong loving community she played with and socialized among in Williamstown.

She was a lover of music and played both the guitar and piano.? She was well read and also had a passion for crossword puzzles, which she conquered right up to her last days.

Peggy had an amazing sense of humor that carried through in her later years, always having her special way of keeping things light and putting a smile on all those around her.

She was extremely devoted to Eb?and formed the most amazing partnership with him. "Made for each other" comes to mind and they never parted out of their house without a ceremonious and heartfelt goodbye.

Peggy drew maximum advantage from accompanying her husband on European assignments with IBM overseas to France and Germany lasting several years. While there she improved her knowledge and proficiency of both languages while getting to know and forming lifelong relationships.

Peggy is survived by husband, Eberhart Altmann; stepsons, Kurt Altmann (Dawn), Craig Altmann, and Brian Altmann (Darleen); grandchildren, Christopher Altmann, Sara Buffoli (Vito), Alex Altmann, Ayla Altmann, and Reed Altmann; great-grandchildren, Luca and Callum Altmann; brother-in-law, Winfried Altmann (Brigitte); nieces, Anne Cunningham (Scott), Kit Townsend (Jim), Tina Altmann, and Gabrielle Altmann; nephews, Curtis Callan (Nicole), Daniel Neyland (Sue), Matthew Neyland, John Neyland (Maria), and Tom Sheldon; grandnieces, Benedicte Kapstein, Catherine Neyland, Eleni Neyland; Julia Neyland; grandnephews, Dominique Callan, Tom Sheldon, Jr., Andrew Sheldon, Matthew Sheldon, Andrew Cunningham, Daniel Cunningham, John Cunningham, Blake Neyland, Brady Neyland, Joseph Townsend, and Bernard Townsend; and 16 great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.

She was preceded in death by brothers, Lt. John Daniel Neyland, and Bernard Neyland; sisters, Catherine Neyland, Elizabeth Neyland, Frances Callan, and Marjorie Neyland; nephew, Timothy Neyland; and niece, Virginia Callan Sheldon.

A celebration of life will be held at a yet-to-be-named future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Friends of the David and Joyce Milne Public Library, Inc at: https://www.milnelibraryfriends.org/support. To add to the book of memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com