Margaret was an active member of the community, calling Wrightwood home since 1967. She was a Girl Scout leader, a ski school instructor at Mtn. High, a member of the CERT safety program, a docent and member of the board at the Wrightwood Historical Society, a supporter of the Friends of the Library, a volunteer for the Frightwood 5k marathon and an active parishioner at the United Methodist Church.
Margaret was a devoted environmental advocate, a lover of opera and the symphony, a faithful gardener and passionate sci-fi fan who devoured Star Trek in all its iterations. One of her favorite activities was to travel, which took her to Alaska, Hawaii, Yosemite, Mexico, England, Greece and more, often to her family home in Ocean Park, Wash. She was thrilled when she visited the country of her ancestors in 2000 when — with her vibrant red hair — she was welcomed as an Irish local. She especially loved being able to share the world during travels with her children and grandchildren.
In 1968, Margaret began working at NASA in the secretarial pool and climbed the ladder to retire as acting CFO of NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. During her 37-year tenure, championed advances in aeronautics like the Space Shuttle and the X-29 forward-swept wing aircraft.
She was a devoted skier, having tackled slopes at Mammoth, Tahoe, Killington, Greek Peak, Steamboat Springs, Vail, Park City and Squaw Valley. She was also a long-time parishioner at the United Methodist Church in Wrightwood where she served as a Sunday school teacher, a member of United Methodist Women and the chairwoman for the church’s finance committee.
In 1963, she met the man who would eventually become her husband. On their first date, George Ashworth took her to see the musical Flower Drum Song. It was the start of a relationship that would last nearly 60 years. Margaret is survived by her devoted husband of 55 years, George; her three children, Susie (Rob), Jennifer (Chris) and George (Hannah); her three grandchildren, Jackson, Nathanael and Charlotte; her brother, Henry, and his children Denise and Stephen.
To celebrate her life, a memorial service will be held at the Wrightwood United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 22 at 1 pm. Flowers can be sent to the church or a donation can be made in Margaret’s name to www.treesforachange.com/products/custome-grove-of-trees. Condolences for the family can be sent to P.O. Box 207, Wrightwood, CA 92397.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5