Margaret “Maggie” Alexandria Ernst, a former 34-year team member at NCC, passed away on May 31, 2025.
Maggie retired from NCC in July of 2020 as senior director of meetings and member services. She onboarded with the council in 1986, under the leadership of then-NCC President George Watts. During her decades of service to the industry, she managed NCC’s meetings and special events planning, program development and operations, as well as overseeing member relations and services, and served as the long-time editor of NCC’s weekly newsletter, The Washington Report.
“Maggie was a staple of the NCC family for more than three decades and will be deeply missed,” said NCC President Harrison Kircher. “She did more than just plan our meetings, she created memories for our members and the industry, with whom she was loved and adored. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this time.”
Below is Maggie’s obituary which was posted on the Leo P. Gallagher & Son website:
Margaret Alexandra Ernst, 68, of Stamford, CT, formerly of Washington, D.C., died on May 31, 2025. Born June 3, 1956 in Highland Park, IL, she was the daughter of E. Anthony Ernst and Maxine Ernst Foster.
Margaret was educated at Blair Academy in Blairstown, NJ, and graduated from University of Lynchburg. She began her career at American Society for Microbiology and American Cyanamid Company, then joined the National Chicken Council, where she worked for more than 30 years, most recently as senior director of Meetings and Member Services. She resided for some time in Breckenridge, CO, where she became an accomplished skier, and for decades in Washington, where she enjoyed gardening at home and hiking in Rock Creek Park. She traveled widely throughout the U.S., Asia and Europe, and had countless friends.
Margaret is survived by her sister Emily Aubrey (Kent) of Boynton Beach, FL; brother John Ernst of Stamford, CT; sister Catherine De Vita (Vincent) of Stamford, CT; nephews Stephen Aubrey (Lisa), Brian Aubrey, Emilio De Vita (Nicole) and John De Vita; nieces Suzanne De Vita (Brett), Katrina Shine (Eric) and Alexandra De Vita; great-niece Adeline Johnson; and great-nephews Colin Aubrey and Anthony De Vita. She was predeceased by her parents and her beloved brother Joseph A. Ernst.
Margaret’s family invites loved ones to a Mass held on Monday June 9 at 10:30am at St. Leo Parish in Stamford, CT. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing a donation in Maggie’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.
