Audrey Essenfeld Pincu posted the following photo to Facebook with the caption: "I'm so sorry to hear this. I feel fortunate I got to see her a few years ago at the big Hillcrest anniversary. We talked and I took my picture with her. She was a wonderful art and yearbook teacher. I have so many fond memories of her."

Audrey Essenfeld Pincu posted the following photo to Facebook with the caption: “I’m so sorry to hear this. I feel fortunate I got to see her a few years ago at the big Hillcrest anniversary. We talked and I took my picture with her. She was a wonderful art and yearbook teacher. I have so many fond memories of her.”

Hearts broke on April 4 when it was announced on Hillcrest High School’s unofficial Facebook page that Margaret Hudson, a retired art teacher and yearbook sponsor, had passed away. Linda Gump, who previously taught Spanish at Hillcrest, posted the following:

Margaret Hudson, art teacher and yearbook sponsor, died last night suddenly after suffering with dementia for some time. She was beloved by decades of HHS students from the ’60’s – ’90’s. A service has been tentatively scheduled for Monday, April 11 at University Park Methodist Church. I’ll post the definite time when it has been determined. Margaret was a special friend since 1969 and was an extraordinarily giving and caring person. She loved her students and was always so interested in hearing about you all. She will be missed.

Almost immediately, the comments began rolling in. Nearly 70 Hillcrest alumni had expressed their condolences, at time of press.

Steve Melton’s message was particularly touching. “I met Ms. Hudson when she was in rehab a few months ago,” he wrote. “I recognized her from when I was at HHS ’67-’70. I took a couple of yearbooks to her and she seemed to really enjoy looking through them. The last time I saw her she patted my hand and face and said, ‘Be kind.’ Great advice. Sweet lady.”

The exact time of Hudson’s memorial service has yet to be determined, but we’ll keep you updated. Steve Kenny, who graduated from Hillcrest in 1974, cited Hudson as one of his most influential teachers in this 2010 Advocate article about the retirement of Liz Trice.