Marguerite Erdman Sailor
2/15/1922 – 8/2/2017

Marguerite Erdman Sailor passed away peacefully with her family on August 2, 2017 in her home in New City, NY. She was 95 years old.

Marguerite was born on February 15, 1922 in Hudson, NY, the daughter of German immigrants Carl and Marie Classen Erdmann. Her parents came to the United States in the early 20th century — passing through Ellis Island with thousands of others seeking a new life in the New World.

Marguerite’s life was shaped in many ways by her European background of courage, hard work and compassion for everyone she met, especially those less fortunate.

Marguerite graduated with a bachelors’ degree from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where she met her husband, Dr. Vance L. Sailor. They were married in 1943. While Vance was away during World War II in the Army Air Force, Marguerite served as a translator in the intelligence division of the War Office in Washington DC.

Marguerite was an accomplished violinist and violin teacher. She and Vance promoted music in their community — East Patchogue, Bellport, Sayville and other towns in Suffolk County — as founders of the Community Chamber Players orchestra and active members of the Bay Area Friends of the Fine Arts (BAFFA).

String quartets were a regular feature in the Sailor home. Marguerite performed well into her late eighties in the BAFFA orchestra and in a string quartet made up of friends from the orchestra. The quartet played at benefit events, in hospitals and in nursing homes.

In addition to her passion for music, Marguerite loved literature and languages. She spoke fluent German and spent many years studying to become fluent in Russian. She also spoke French and Chinese.

Marguerite was an excellent cook. Supporting Vance’s career as a senior physicist at Brookhaven National Laboratory, she entertained — and regaled — scientists and young students from around the world with her spectacular dinners. Flaming Baked Alaska was a frequent menu item.

Marguerite was “first mate” and “galley slave” on Vance’s various sailboats – the Salalah Sahib, the Jan Maat and the Ivory Tower. She managed to bring up three children on a thirty-foot sailboat during many summers of sailing adventures. Block Island was a favorite destination.

Marguerite will be remembered for her accomplishments, but also for her selfless devotion to her family, and her kindness and compassion for the many people who knew her.

Marguerite is survived by her son, Richard Vance Sailor, her daughter, Nancy Sailor Phillips, her daughters-in-law Mary Johnston and Marcia Sailor, and four grandchildren: Jonathan E. Sailor, Carl P. Sailor, Anna M. Sailor and Delyth E. Phillips. She is also survived by nephews Craig Taylor and John Walbridge III, and nieces Carol Neudorfer and Mary Walbridge, and by her family in Germany.

Marguerite was predeceased by her husband Dr. Vance L. Sailor, her son John Karl Sailor, and her sister Elizabeth E. Taylor.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marguerite’s memory can be made to BAFFA:
BAFFA Orchestra
Attention: Andrea Edwards, Orchestra Manager
PO Box 16
Bayport, NY 11705-0016
Visit BAFFA’s website at http://www.baffa.org