Margaret Ujvary Tuchman, of Princeton, New Jersey, and co-Founder and President of The Parkinson Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to funding research for Parkinson’s disease, died of pneumonia Sunday evening, December 16, 2018 at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick. She was 77.
Margaret was born on November 18, 1941 in Budapest, Hungary. She immigrated to the United States in 1956, married Martin (“Marty”) Tuchman, a businessman and entrepreneur, and had a BA in Psychology and an MA in Social Work. At age 38, Margaret was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. At that time disease treatment, information, and research was limited. Combining her thirst for knowledge and passion for helping others, she began a lifelong journey to shine a light on Parkinson’s. As she learned, she shared, using early online Internet bulletin board services to connect with people around the country. Margaret quickly became an expert—a beacon and vital go-to resource in the Parkinson’s community.
Recognizing there was not enough research funding for Parkinson’s disease, both Margaret and Marty, along with The Tuchman Foundation, got involved. Marty joined the boards of the leading Parkinson’s organizations of the time; they both joined the cause of the Parkinson’s Unity Walk; they were early supporters of the then newly-formed Parkinson’s Action Network (which today is operating under The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research); and they were among the several key grassroots advocates who worked tirelessly to help pass the Morris K. Udall Parkinson’s Research Act of 1997. But the slow pace of the legislative process to release funds remained frustrating. That frustration motivated Marty to apply fundamental business practices to accelerate the flow of dollars into the hands of researchers. In 1999, they founded The Parkinson Alliance, dedicated to raising funds for the most promising research to find a cure and to share educational information to help improve the quality of life for those suffering with the disease.
In 2000, ever attentive to new therapies, Margaret became one of the first people in the United States to have Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. Seeing the need to better inform the Parkinson’s community about the treatment, Margaret started DBS4PD.org, a website dedicated to DBS information, education, and surveys designed to give the patient a voice. With DBS now well-known, this ever-growing resource is today part of The Parkinson Alliance website under Patient Centered Research.
In the years since its inception, The Parkinson Alliance also took over the management of the Parkinson’s Unity Walk and Team Parkinson. It hosts regular events, such as the annual Carnegie Center 5K & Fun Run and the Food, Wine, & Maybe Tuscany fundraiser. At this past November’s Food event, Margaret’s good friend May May Ali, eldest child of Muhammad Ali, was the inspiring keynote speaker. To date, the efforts of The Parkinson Alliance have raised over $30 million for Parkinson’s research.
Margaret also enjoyed gardening and flowers, especially orchids, and was an avid reader on a wide variety of topics. But championing worthwhile missions was in her soul. She was an avid animal and nature lover and took pride in supporting many organizations that fought for the rights of protecting both. For over two decades she helped fund a ranch in Texas that works with abused horses. She quietly supported beneficial programs and projects too numerous to list. At her core, Margaret consistently delighted in helping those in need while always shunning attention for doing so.
Her favorite musician Leonard Cohen wrote, “There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” Parkinson’s may have been the crack, but Margaret simply allowed it to spread more of her extraordinary light into the world to positively affect a myriad of people.
Ever optimistic, Margaret remained deeply involved in the work of The Parkinson Alliance. She continued to be passionate in finding ways to improve quality of life and in research that would ultimately find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. She strongly believed that the voice of people with Parkinson’s and those who love and care for them must be heard.
Margaret was predeceased by her parents, Josef and Margit Ann Ujvary. Margaret is survived by her husband and partner of 57 years, Marty, their Coton de Tulear, Mumbo, and African Gray, Lori. She is also survived by her cousins, George Airday and Michael Erdely, and many friends who deeply love her.
In keeping with her wishes and generous spirit, Margaret’s body and brain were donated to the University of Pennsylvania for Parkinson’s research. There will be no funeral. We welcome you to honor Margaret and her passionate work. Memorial donations can be made to The Parkinson Alliance, Post Office Box 308, Kingston, NJ 08528 or online at parkinsonalliance.org in her memory.
