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Margaret "Maggie" McPike, 77, died Saturday, July 1, 2006, at a local hospital surrounded by her family. Margaret was born January 13, 1929, in San Mateo, California to Kenneth and Margaret Melrose. Maggie lived in a variety of California places as her family moved around the state following her father's career with the Union Ice Company. Finally, settling in Santa Cruz, Maggie graduated from high school in 1946, Salinas Junior College in 1948 and the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1950, with a degree in Spanish. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. She married her high school boyfriend John McPike in 1951, and by 1952 she was on her way to realizing her calling as one of the world's greatest moms. Maggie and John had three children and raised them in Watsonville, Calif. After 47 years there, they moved to San Luis Obispo in 2000 to be closer to their children.
Maggie had an incredible zest for life, and her optimism and sense of humor delighted everyone who came in contact with her. She was festive, and the party began when Maggie arrived. It was her grandchildren who gave her the greatest joy. She will be missed deeply by her family and many friends who relied upon her for love and laughter in the face of overwhelming odds.
Maggie leaves behind her husband of 55 years, John; her children, Ann Slate and husband Chris, Sue Carota and husband Paul, and John McPike, Jr. and wife Kathy and her beloved grandchildren, Maggie and Paul Carota; Katie, Ane and Ellie McPike; and Jessica Slate. The family wishes to acknowledge the loving care, but more importantly the friendship Mila Tidalgo and her daughter, Barbara Powers, gave to their mother over the last two years. They are truly angels here on earth.
The San Luis Obispo Tribune, July 11, 2006
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