Margaret “Meg” Ashley Saunders

Date of Death: April 27, 2026

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service

Grace Evangelical Lutheran

26 W. Boscawen Street

Winchester, VA 22601

Wednesday 5/6, 11:00 am

Memorial Service

cemetery

Mount Hebron Cemetery

305 E. Boscawen Street

Winchester, VA 22601

Wednesday 5/6

memorial

Please consider making a donation to the Lexington KY Philharmonic Orchestra
https://lexphil.org/ in her honor

Margaret Ashley “Meg” Saunders was taken too soon from her family, many friends, and generations of violin students on April 27, 2026, in Winchester, VA at age 51. Born on February 11, 1975, Meg was raised in Winchester, where she had dear friends, a home filled with love, and fond memories including serving as a princess in the Apple Blossom festival and performing as one of the Von Trapp children in a Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre production of The Sound of Music.

Meg found her passion and profession at an early age, first picking up a violin at the age of 5. She was selected as one of the original members of the Shenandoah Valley Youth Orchestra and played in the Shenandoah University Orchestra as a teen. After graduating from John Handley High School in 1993, her skills flourished at the University of Virginia, where she double majored in music and psychology. She continued her education and earned both a Master of Music in Violin Performance and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) for Music Education from Eastern Kentucky University. She built her career in and around Lexington, KY, where she was a long-time member of the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra and played in pit orchestras, quartets, and other groups for countless special events.

Her musical legacy lives on through the hundreds of students whose lives she touched, from two-year-old toddlers starting the Suzuki Method book one through students at Centre College, Eastern Kentucky University, and Transylvania University preparing for their master’s recitals.

Beyond music and teaching, Meg loved celebrating birthdays, half-birthdays, and birthday months, as well as gardening and all things pink. She lived in Richmond, KY with her partner of many years, Jeremy Mulholland, and her beloved cat, Charlie.

She is survived by her parents, Wayne and Gretchen, and brother, Drew (Sarah Fait).

A memorial service will be held at 11 am Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church (26 W Boscawen St, Winchester, VA 22601), followed immediately by interment at the family plot in Mount Hebron Cemetery (305 E Boscawen St, Winchester, VA 22601).

Please consider making a donation to the Lexington KY Philharmonic Orchestra (https://lexphil.org/) in her honor.

Stella Fightmaster

Lee and Harriet Bowen

Carolyn Howard

Qian Zhang (Elf Bauserman)

Sarah Vickers

Kerie Carnell

Julie Foster

Sila Darville

Andrew Jackson

Gretchen Tucker

Amy DuBrueler

Dennis Davis

Grace Evangelical Lutheran

26 W. Boscawen Street

Winchester, VA 22601

Map

Wednesday 5/6, 11:00 am

Memorial Service

Mount Hebron Cemetery

305 E. Boscawen Street

Winchester, VA 22601

Map

Wednesday 5/6

Please consider making a donation to the Lexington KY Philharmonic Orchestra
https://lexphil.org/ in her honor

See Condolences

In memory of Margaret “Meg” Ashley Saunders, Stella Fightmaster lit a candle

Miss Saunders was our orchestra teacher at Winburn Middle School, she was full of passion and kindness as she helped us all to develop our skills as a musician. She will truly be missed and we love her so much!

Jeremy and Meg's family, I am so sorry for your loss.

We will always remember the ironing board and vacuum cleaner tale.

Jeremy, I am sorry for your loss. I hope you find peace and comfort in your heart and mind soon. We are here to support and help you with anything you need. Sincerely, Family Slijepcevic-Zaragoza

Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.

In memory of Margaret “Meg” Ashley Saunders, Carolyn Howard lit a candle

So very sorry to hear of Megan's passing. Keeping her family & friends in our thoughts & prayers

Meg's contributions to our community will be greatly missed. Please accept our deepest condolences.

Meg was my violin teacher at Centre College and I cherish our time together. She was warm, funny and always willing to listen. It’s hard to imagine her vibrant, steadfast spirit gone from this world. Rest easy, Meg. Love to the Saunders family.

I’m sorry for your loss. I’m Trent Bauserman’s ex-sister-in-law and he shared the news with us. Even though I don’t know Meg personally, it’s always heartbreaking when we lose someone we love. May the memories of Meg bring you comfort. 🕯️

In memory of Margaret “Meg” Ashley Saunders, Sarah Vickers lit a candle

Meg and I knew each other at Handley. She played music as beautiful as her soul.

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Meg. I attended a Summer Camp at EKU where she taught violin and Viola for our sectional/chamber groups, and she was always wonderful. She had such a positive aura that she brought wherever she went. I feel deeply saddened that I won't be able to see her again at the camp this summer, and offer my wishes to the Saunders family. ❤️

May you rest in peace, dear friend.

A kind and thoughtful colleague, gone too soon. Meg will be missed.

In memory of Margaret “Meg” Ashley Saunders, Sila Darville lit a candle

I have many fond memories of Meg. She taught my daughter violin lessons, and was always so encouraging and patient. That was many years ago. We played for many years together in the Lexington Philharmonic, and I always loved her cute, funny expressions, and sense of humor. She was always so devoted to her friends, her family, and to her profession. Truly I miss her already, rest in peace dear Meg.

In memory of Margaret “Meg” Ashley Saunders, Andrew Jackson lit a candle

I am honored to have shared and celebrated birthday month with her, as well as being her stand-partner for more concerts than I can count. I will celebrate her and hold these memories dear.

I remember having lunch with Meg on the Handley steps senior year. So sad, condolences to the family.

Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.

In memory of Margaret “Meg” Ashley Saunders, Amy DuBrueler lit a candle

In memory of Margaret “Meg” Ashley Saunders, Dennis Davis lit a candle

Our condolences to the family, friends and all of that knew her. Prayers .

Meg was such a good friend in school and I have nothing but fond memories of her. She will be missed! Sending prayers to all of her family.

Rest in Peace Meg! I will always have beautiful memories of our times together! Many condolences to her friends and family!

I can’t believe she’s gone. I feel like I just saw and played with her a few days ago! I will miss her terribly. She was such a dear friend.

The world has lost a shining light. I remember the one year Meg and I were roommates at UVA, my 3rd year of medical school. The apartment at 1600 JPA was filled with her music, such a joy for me and a gift I will cherish forever. Many hugs to her family ❤️‍🩹

In memory of Margaret “Meg” Ashley Saunders, Jon Roller lit a candle

So very sad. Meg was a former student of mine and babysitter for our daughter. I remember her smile and her energy in the classroom. She was a wonderful companion for our daughter. They shared the same birthday and that made her special in our daughter's eyes. Our condolences to her family.

Meg was my first violin professor and left a profound and lasting impact on me as a musician and as a person. Her light will be missed.

In memory of Margaret “Meg” Ashley Saunders, Marsha Pendley lit a candle

Rest in peace, Meg. Heaven shines brighter now even as this world seems a little darker. You were a friend to so many and will be missed. Condolences to all friends and family.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.