Margaret Harriet Covert

Margie Harriet Covert, passed away the morning of January 4, 2014. She was 92. Margie was born on December 11, 1921 in San Francisco, California and was the sixth of nine children born to Joseph Patrick Sullivan and Elsie Elizabeth (Gauckel) Sullivan. She moved with her family to Sacramento at a very young age and continued to live in the Sacramento area throughout her life. Growing up she attended Marshall and McKinley Grammar Schools, graduated eighth grade from St. Francis Catholic School, graduated ninth grade from Sutter Junior High School and high school graduation from Sacramento High School.

She married the love of her life, Paul Henry Covert in 1949. They were married for 21 years until Paul’s passing in 1971. Margie was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and a special friend to many. Her family meant everything to her and she always worked hard to provide a wonderful life and home for them. She is survived by her children: son James Covert and his wife Jill; son Robert Covert; and best friend and daughter Julie Instness and her husband, Richard. She was a beloved grandmother to Mathew Covert; Charisse Irwin and her husband, Trey; Danielle Anderson and her husband, Brian; Kristen Thomas and her husband, Dennis; Christopher Instness; Jeffrey Instness and Shawna Gelphman. She always adored and had a special place in her heart for her six great-grandchildren, Alli and Brooke Anderson, Aidan and Cooper Irwin; Rhone Fergeson and Lachlan Thomas. She is also survived by daughter-in-law, Patricia Covert and many nieces and nephews.

She was involved with her children’s activities such as PTA, scouts, school field trips, classroom parties and sporting activities when they were young. In 1971 she became the cook for Playland School and worked there until she retired in 1981. While working at Playland, she was busy preparing the lunch meal, in addition to covering for teachers so they could have their breaks and lunch hours, taking care of bumps and scratches and any other duty asked of her. She spent every Sunday morning at home baking cookies and snacks for the children for the week ahead because she didn’t have time during the work week and didn’t want the children to go without their “goodies.”

After leaving Playland she began caring for her daughter’s children during the day. No matter what, she showed up at 6:00 a.m. every morning. She took care of the children from newborns to teenagers. Even after they were older, she continued to come to the house every day “just to make sure they got off to school or work in time.”

Margie loved all the holidays, especially Christmas. Paul and her hosted many holiday open houses over the years and we will never forget the gingerbread men made every year. She always made enough for all the family and friends and while at Playland she made them for the whole school.

In addition to her husband and parents, Margie was preceded in death by her siblings: sisters Josephine Sullivan and Matilda “Tillie” Oreb; brothers Daniel Sullivan, John “Jack” Sullivan, Richard Sullivan, Joseph Sullivan Jr., Dennis Sullivan and Michael “Mickey” Sullivan.

Although Margie had many trial and tribulations throughout her life, she was never bitter about anything. We will miss her bright smile and happy disposition, caring, thoughtfulness, generosity, and honesty. We will also miss the strength in her spirit, which will always remain with us. She touched so many lives during her time on earth, and although we are sad that she is no longer with us, we feel blessed to have had her in our lives for this long.

A celebration of her life will be on January 17, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Mount Vernon Memorial Park.

Arrangements under the direction of Mount Vernon Memorial Park and Mortuary, Fair Oaks, CA.