Margaret "Meg" (Watson) Kish

Margaret Watson Kish

 Margaret Watson Kish, 75, of New Bremen fell asleep on Thursday, June 20, 2024, and is awaiting the return of her lord and savior, Jesus Christ.

Margaret (Meg) Watson was born an only child to John and Adelaide Watson in Rye, New York, on July 14, 1948. Meg had an idyllic childhood and was greatly influenced by her mother, who was an illustrator and portrait artist. In her teen years, Meg’s artistic talents began to show, and by the time she graduated from high school, she had decided to pursue a career in art herself.

Meg acquired a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Carnegie Mellon University, where she studied graphic design and classical realism. The summer before her final year in college, Meg worked as the art director for Cosmopolitan Magazine in New York City. Growth at her craft was a lifelong pursuit, and throughout her life she studied in ateliers of art masters.

There was, however, one thing that Meg loved more than producing art and that was serving God. Her life was forever changed on June 8, 1970, when she accepted Christ as her risen lord and savior. In November of 1970, she took a bible class in New York that was offered by a small, but growing ministry from New Knoxville, Ohio—The Way International. This class, called “Power for Abundant Living,” furthered her relationship with God and provided her a greater understanding of God’s Word. Meg was among the group of Christians in Rye that became known as “The Groovy Christians of Rye, New York.”

In the summer of 1971, Meg, along with other Christian believers, moved to Washington, D.C., to reach out with God’s love and establish a new area of work for The Way Ministry. Next, she moved to the headquarters of the ministry in Ohio at the request of its founder, Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille, in order to develop as a biblical illustrator. It was there that she married John Joseph Kish on August 28, 1976. Not long afterward, she and John graduated from The Way Corps, the ministry’s Christian leadership training program. In 1979 they were blessed with the birth of their first daughter, Marga, followed by the birth of their second daughter, Amber, who arrived just 18 months later. It was also in 1979 that John was ordained to the Christian ministry, further cementing the family’s commitment to serve God. In the early 1980s, The Way produced a video of Meg’s spiritual journey titled “The Renewed Mind… A Self-Portrait.”  

The Kishes remained at the ministry’s headquarters, where Meg served as art director and illustrator for The Way Magazine and several other publications—most notably, Heirs, a children’s magazine; Jesus Christ Our Passover, a major biblical research work; and a children’s sing-along booklet titled We’re Standing on the W-O-R-D. Additionally, she was the lead research artist for a painting titled “Dechomai” which hangs in the Word over the World Auditorium at The Way International.

John and Meg worked on staff at The Way from 1976 until 1990, when they accepted their first field assignment in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was their first of many assignments, as they were willing to go anywhere they were needed. In fact, over the course of their many relocations, they moved an astonishing 32 times in 48 years.

Always a giver, Meg continued to teach art privately and publicly wherever she moved. She truly bloomed wherever she was planted. She was a featured lecturer and speaker at conferences, art museums, libraries, art schools, and college campuses across the USA.

Meg’s artwork is included in national and international corporate, public, and private collections, including The Way International Headquarters in Ohio, Ponte Vedra Beach Resorts in Florida, and the United States Federal Reserve Bank in Miami, Florida. Her illustrations have been published in books, magazines, advertisements, and her personal line of stationery, which she affectionately called “Gems.”

Those who knew Meg personally knew that she was a force for good and always had a big smile and a kind word for everyone. Her grace and goodness mirrored that of her heavenly Father. These words from Meg sum up her entire philosophy of her art: “It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, and I want those words to encourage and edify unto good things.” Her mission statement was “Word over the walls.”

Meg is survived by her loving husband, John; daughters Marga Kish and Amber (Ben) Wierwille; grandsons Sage, Steel, Cobalt, and Indigo; and granddaughter Rainbow. You will notice that both daughters’ and all the grandchildren’s names relate to colors of the rainbow. How fitting a legacy for a woman who admired and imitated God’s creation and always loved a fresh box of crayons.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be blessed to develop a fund established for the preservation and development of biblical illustration. The family is gathering pieces of Meg’s art for the purpose of teaching and inspiration. Donations to this fund can be made electronically below or by check. Checks, made payable to The Kish Family Irrevocable Trust, may be mailed to 302 W. Boesel Ave., New Bremen, Ohio, 45869.

God bless everyone! There will be a Celebration of Life for Meg Kish at The Way International on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. ET in the Biblical Research Center (BRC). Everyone and anyone is welcome to attend. The family would be grateful to see many of you there. Please anonymously RSVP at the following link to assist us with our planning. Feel free to leave any loving comments on the RSVP or on this post. They are appreciated! If you are unable to attend in person, a live stream of the celebration will be available.

Much love to you all!