By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Margy Riedinger was a teacher, boutique manager and real estate specialist.

She also took leadership roles at the Junior League and with her sorority alumnae group, volunteered at a local hospital and was a docent at a local museum.

Family and friends were her greatest blessings, but those who knew her say her kindness and support were an immeasurable blessing to them. Mrs. Riedinger "helped generations of family realize the best in themselves and the joy of living every day to the fullest," said her son, Randy Wachs of Nashville.

Margaret West Riedinger died Saturday at Hospice of Cincinnati of acute leukemia. The longtime Hyde Park resident was 67.

An original member of the Junior League Choral Group, Mrs. Riedinger performed at nursing homes for 32 years. She got a visit from the group herself when she was battling leukemia in Hospice.

"Margy was the heart and soul of the group. She was always recruiting new members and nurturing the spirit in all of us," said member Jane Bennett of Indian Hill.

Raised in Hyde Park, Mrs. Riedinger graduated from Walnut Hills High School in 1953 and studied at Wellesley College in Massachusetts before transferring to the University of Cincinnati a year later.

After earning a bachelor's degree in education from UC in 1957, she taught grade school in Madisonville for six months. She then moved to Newton, Mass., where she taught second and third grades.

Mrs. Riedinger moved back to Cincinnati a couple of years later and spent many years raising her children.

She later managed the Pappagallo store in Hyde Park and Poppy's in Kenwood before joining Comey & Shepherd Realtors in 1986.

In 1994, she retired to spend time with her family.

Mrs. Riedinger was chairman of admissions for the Junior League and for its fashion shows. She was a volunteer at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and a tour guide at Cincinnati's Natural History Museum.

A member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, she was president of the local alumnae group.

When she was 38, the Enquirer named her one of Cincinnati's "Queen City Beauties."

In addition to her son, survivors include her husband of 14 years, Royal Riedinger; a daughter, Jennifer Wyatt of Dublin, Ohio; a stepdaughter, Gay Bullock of Madeira; a stepson, Royal Riedinger of Orlando; a sister, Patricia Wineland of Novato, Calif.; a brother, Stephen D. West of Anderson Township; stepmother, Mary West of Hyde Park; five grandchildren; and three stepgrandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Mariemont Community Church, Mariemont. Burial is private.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Cincinnati, 4310 Cooper Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242, or Mariemont Community Church, 3908 Plainville Road, Cincinnati, OH 45227.

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E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com