Margaret Ann Cruise was born May 12, 1955, in Charleston, WV to John Turman Cruise and Betty Bandy Cruise. She spent her formative years in Wheeling, WV and Mogadore, OH.
Margaret graduated from Clemson University in 1978 with a degree in Plant Science and in 1981 started her business "Petal Pushers & the Sproutery" which she operated for over 40 years.
In July of 2021 she announced that the "Plant Lady" was now the "Horse Lady". Margaret began studying "Equine Gestalt coaching method" under Melisa Pearce of "Touched by a Horse" located in Elizabeth, Colorado and in 2020 obtained certification in Life Coaching. She retired from her plant business and focused on building her non-profit "A Better Place Equine" to pursue her goal of life coaching with horses and helping others.
Margaret also was a managing partner in the Pine Dale Farm Partnership, a family century farm located in Willis, VA. Pinedale was a source of great pride and strength to her, and she loved spending time there.
During her life Margaret met many people and gained many friends. She was known to be a bright spot in anyone's day she came across. Her unique perspective and mental energy made her special, a person that always moved forward and never allowed adversity to stand in her path. Her maxim was "The only thing that holds you back is yourself."
Margaret's love of animals is evident by her own menagerie of them, from catfish and cockatoos to donkeys, goats, and horses, and everything in between. They were all rescues. She never turned away from an animal in need.
She had a big heart and will be greatly missed by friends and family alike. She was a special and unique person who never allowed adversity to stand in her way. Margaret displayed extraordinary courage during her illness. She never complained or lost faith to the end that she would get better and move forward. A special thanks to Patti Conklin for helping her to keep that courage. Thanks to all the unnamed friends & family who made her life a joy.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Gary Cruise of Orangeburg, SC.
She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Ron Gunter, of Central, SC; and a sister, Elizabeth (Betsy) Cruise of Durham, NC.
Margaret Cruise wrote her own life and touched many living it. Please help us celebrate that life by attending a celebration of life service at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 20, 2022, at the Fran Hanson Visitor's Center at the South Carolina Botanical Gardens, 150 Discovery Lane, Clemson, SC 29631.
Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home & Cremations is assisting the family.