Margaret Ellen Coates Thomson - Vista, California.  Margie, as she was known, passed away peacefully at home on December 23, 2012, of cancer.  A true Californian, Margie was born in Los Angeles on November 21, 1928 to Elsie and John Coates, and raised in South Pasadena, California.  Margie later went to the University of Maryland where she met her husband Earl J "Tommy" Thomson, Jr.  They were married after graduation in 1951 and honeymooned in Bermuda.

In 1962, Margie and Tommy moved to Vista where together they raised five children, Ellen, Earl, Jane, John, and Mary.  Margie was an office manager at Casita Elementary School in Vista for 19 years.  She retired December, 1991.  She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Vista for over 50 years, active in the choir, United Methodist Women and served as church treasurer.

It was in retirement that Margie was able to enjoy a diverse group of interests.  She loved to scuba dive with her husband, logging over 400 dives in such places as Southern California, Mexico, Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Bali, the South Pacific, Micronesia, Africa, the Galapagos Islands, and the Caribbean.  She was a member of the Women's Club of Vista and the Vista Garden Club and loved to arrange flowers for family gatherings.  Margie and Tommy traveled extensively in their RV touring almost every state in the United States.  They were members of the RV club, The Rig Runners, and enjoyed many weekend trips with the group.  Margie was an avid traveler.  Together with her husband, they traveled the world, enjoying meeting new people and learning of their customs. 

Margie was preceded in death by their son, Earl.  She is survived by her husband of 61 years; four children and their five spouses; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.  She will be remembered with respect, love, and affection by the many people whose lives were enriched knowing her.

North County Times, January 6, 2013