Magenta Carney Yglesias

Magenta Yglesias of Oxford, MD departed this life on Saturday, April 25, 2009 surrounded by her loving family. In her passing, we have lost the company of her charm grace and wisdom, but are favored with countless memories of her extraordinary intelligence, generosity, friendship, and her devotion to her family and friends. Magenta was born on November 8, 1931 in Wellington, TX to Laurel Louise Walker and Allan Anthony Carney. Growing up in Washington, DC, Magenta attended high school at the Academy of the Holy Cross and college at Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York. Magenta received her Bachelor’s Degree from American University in design and taught there as an Adjunct Professor. What started as a home business sewing custom clothes turned into a full service interior design company-Designare, Ltd. (from a rather free translation of the Latin, “to design”) located on Connecticut Avenue in Washington. Designare evolved into Jena International where her work received an ASID National Design Award for Eddie’s Room, the first completely designed space to address the needs of a disabled child in 1991. Many innovative and elegant interior designs were made for clients as part of Decorators’ Show Houses to benefit Washington’s National Symphony Orchestra. Magenta published her ideas in numerous articles and books, spoke on color and color trends in interior design at many places including the Smithsonian Institution. Magenta was particularly proud of her work with the Inter-Society Color Council and Color Research and Applications. Her love for books was apparent. She wrote and published a children’s fairytale called The Little Raindrop That Lost Its Rainbow in 1996. Magenta served on the Board of Directors of Pyramid Atlantic, a Center for Art Books. Magenta’s favorite home was Jena, c. 1673. Drawn to the Eastern Shore by friends Geanne and Tom Williams who lived in Oxford, Magenta purchased Jena in 1983 as a family homestead. Many, many happy days were spent under the trees, with tea parties and boating adventures, and watching the osprey build their nest. Magenta contributed her talents to the community, especially the Historical Society of Talbot County, the Talbot County Garden Club, and the Chesapeake Bay Herb Society. Her devotion to the Oxford Museum reflected her love of history, tradition and root beer popsicles. Magenta was preceded in death by her parents, Allan, Commodore, US Coast Guard (1901-1992) and Laurel (d. 1976). Magenta is survived by Colette and Michael Silver of Chevy Chase, MD and their children, Nathan, Max and Jennie; Caren and John Livengood of Washington, DC and their children, Ian, Hugh and Magenta; Cathy and Captain Mark Ensor, USN retired, of Oxford, MD and their children, Michael and Katie; John and Mary Jo Yglesias of Fairfax, VA and their children, Brandon, Samantha, Diana and Jessica; and Paul and Irina Yglesias of Easton, MD and their son Serge. Magenta loved her grandchildren and never let an opportunity for their elevation and amusement pass unexplored. Services will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 11:00 am at Christ Episcopal Church, 111 S. Harrison St., Easton, MD 21601. Friends may call on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at the Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A. 200 S. Harrison St. Easton, MD from 6-8:00 pm. Burial will be at Oxford Cemetery.

Magenta Carney Yglesias

November 8, 1931 - April 25, 2009