Margaret Locricchio

Margaret Ison Locricchio, 89, of St. Clair Shores, MI, beloved wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother, died at St. John’s Hospital on September 20, 2024. Margaret is survived by her husband of 39 years, Anthony; children Tammy Ruth Ison, Sherry Denchfield (Jeff), Leona Ison, and Gordon Ison; grandchildren Juliana Berger, Leila Berger, and Cole Denchfield, and several nieces and nephews. Margaret was predeceased by one daughter, Shelly, who died in infancy, her first husband James T. Ison, her parents, and her four siblings.

Margaret was born in Robeson County, North Carolina, on May 20,1935, the fourth child of Lacy and Kathleen (Roberts) Burnette. In the late 1950s, Margaret and her sister Mary moved to Detroit, Michigan, where Margaret married James T. Ison in 1959, and started a family.

Margaret was a beautiful, dignified, and proud woman, but she was proudest of all to be a mother to her four children, whom she raised, mostly alone, to become college-educated and independent adults. Margaret worked diligently at many jobs to provide for her family, serving longest as a civilian crossing guard for the Detroit Police Department from 1977 to 2020, when she was laid off due to the pandemic—at age 84! She was a respected figure around the schools and communities she served, recognized as a strong person who kept children safe because she made them—and the traffic—follow the rules. She knew students’ names, their stories, teachers, and parents. The kids loved and trusted her, knowing she would be there, and that she had candy in her pockets!

Margaret had a strong moral sense of right and wrong and believed it was important to set an example. She had an unwavering Christian faith in Jesus as her Lord. Baptized in a Baptist ceremony in a river as a child, Margaret was a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Detroit for many decades, and more recently attended Grace Community Church in Detroit for several years. Her willingness to accept and forgive knew no bounds.

Margaret married Anthony Locricchio in 1985 after her children were grown. She and Anthony built a life together with their beloved black Labrador dogs, rental houses, and working, always working. They were an active Union couple, with Margaret often sporting AFSCME and UAW pins on her denim jacket around election time.

Though she lacked a formal education, “Margie” possessed uncommon energy, drive, and common sense. She often spoke of being a “survivor” and of sacrifice, overcoming adversity with an indomitable spirit. Nothing could stop her when she made up her mind to accomplish a task or a goal. If she didn’t know how to do something she’d figure it out, from painting to plumbing to driving. Never one to call out sick, Margaret’s steadfast work ethic carried into her home life, where she did everything from cooking and cleaning to lawn work and hosing down the house until she was about 80, working side by side with anyone she hired to show them how to do the job right!

In spite of the tough role she had in life, though, Margaret had a positive attitude and kind heart that others noticed soon enough after they noticed her beautiful and regal appearance. She had a great sense of style that made any outfit look good. But she never considered this to be important. She loved talking to neighbors and church friends, who often told her plenty about their lives, and she was always ready to help someone, whether with a few dollars, a handyman job, or with motherly advice, which she delivered with her practical Southern frankness.

Margaret deeply missed her family and loved ones living across the country, and seldom missed an occasion to send a greeting card, usually containing a gift as well. She never aspired to travel very much other than to visit her family, but that’s what mattered to her. She enjoyed visits to the U.P., Dallas, New Orleans, California, Colorado, and other places where family lived through the years.

Margaret’s health began to decline in 2020, and again in 2023, when she was hospitalized from complications of diabetes, dysphagia, and sepsis. She had always been disciplined about her health and diet, but as she entered her late 80’s her recoveries became slower and more difficult. She was blessed to be cared for at home until she died in the hospital of her final illness in 2024.

The loss of Margaret’s vital presence in the world is a tremendous loss of goodness, endurance, love, and faith for all who knew and loved her. She had the dedicated love of a mother and wife who kept everyone hopping, a household humming, and a kind heart that endeared her to others. She never put herself above anyone, appreciating home caregivers’ efforts on her behalf toward the end of her life. She saw herself as the one who took care of everyone, and well she did for so long.

Dearest Mom, Margie, Margaret…we will love and miss you forever. We hope to honor you as you so richly deserved. You are now in Jesus’s presence, in the eternal peace of heaven. Rest now, beloved one, and receive God’s blessing: well done, good and faithful servant.

A memorial service for Margaret Locricchio will be held on November 2, 2024, at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, 48236 www.ahpeters.com. Margaret made arrangements to be cremated. Visitation with the family will begin at 12 noon, followed by the service at 1:00, with a light luncheon afterward. All are welcome.