Volunteered around Elgin her whole life

In Elgin volunteer circles, the name of Margaret Sarto Hood was well known.

The lifelong Elgin resident had a gift for organizing successful benefits, from fashion shows to fancy galas, that raised thousands of dollars for local hospitals, children's organizations, service clubs and even the Elgin Symphony.

Now local residents are mourning her passing. Mrs. Hood died Tuesday. She was 83.

"Everyone wanted her help," says Betty Brown of Elgin, who worked with Mrs. Hood in the Elgin Women's Club. "She loved fashion, and she was always willing to help out and volunteer."

Mrs. Hood was the second of seven children born to Samuel and Lucy Lanza Sarto. She grew up in a hard-working, close-knit family.

"We didn't live on a farm, but my parents raised chickens and produce," says Mrs. Hood's sister, Antoinette "Toni" Geister of Elgin. "As children, we used to sell the vegetables out on the street corner."

After high school, Mrs. Hood worked at Chicago Rawhide during the day in Elgin, before commuting at night into Chicago, where she studied to become a dental assistant.

Her first job in the field was at the Geneva School for Girls, before she later worked as a dental assistant at the St. Charles School for Boys.

"Those years were a real highlight for her," her sister adds. "She used to come home with the most interesting stories."

Raised as a devout Catholic, Mrs. Hood and her sister turned to St. Joseph Hospital, now Provena St. Joseph Hospital, in Elgin, to volunteer their time. In fact, hospital officials confirm that they were charter members of its auxiliary.

What began as helping out in the gift shop and pushing the gift cart through the floors, developed into a major fundraising role in its auxiliary.

Together, they designed fashion shows that showcased local department stores and featured member models, holding them first at St. Edward's High School before moving to the Hemmen's Auditorium in Elgin.

"They were huge, two-night shows," says her niece, Kathleen Mink of Elgin. "My mother and Aunt Marge worked together; my mom was the creative talent while my aunt did all the legwork."

Later organizations they helped included the Easter Seals Auxiliary, the Women of the Elks Auxiliary, the Elgin Women's Club, the Elgin Symphony League and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Besides her sister and niece, Mrs. Hood is survived by her husband of 58 years, Robert, as well as her nephew, Mel (Connie) Hopkins, and niece, Cathy Hopkins, both of Elgin, and many grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She was preceded in death by her nephew, Michael Hopkins.

Visitation will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Laird Funeral Home, 310 S. State St. in Elgin, before a 10 a.m. Mass on Friday at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 215 More Drive in Elgin.