Margaret Sheridan Poret

Margaret Poret (Sheridan) was born on May 2, 1919 to James and Elizabeth Sheridan on the family farm near Flint, Michigan. She was the youngest of 5 siblings, having 3 older sisters, Frances, Norrine and Elizabeth and one older brother, James. Her first year of school was in a one room schoolhouse and she graduated at 16 from Flushing High School. After graduating from high school she moved to Saginaw, Michigan to attend Business School while living with a local family as a Mother's Helper. After 2 years at Business School she worked at various local jobs in Saginaw, living with her sisters, Elizabeth and Norrine as they attened Nursing School.

When World War II broke out Margaret moved to Denver taking her mother, Elizabeth with her, to work in a company which was part of Manhattan Project. She and her mother loved Denver but in 1946 decided to move to San Diego where they had family living. Traveling was difficult after the war but Margaret and her mother Elizabeth hitched a ride with two young men who had been looking for someone to share the cost of the gas in getting to LA. Driving straight thru they arrived In LA in about 4 days. From LA Margaret and her mother took the train to San Diego stopping in La Jolla to visit family members.

Within a short time, Margaret got her first job with Solar and she and her mother moved into a little house in North Park and joined St. Vincent de Paul Parish. During her 7 years at Solar and by attending St. Vincent de Paul Parish she met and made many life long friends. While working at Solar she and her friends spent their spare time exploring San Diego and making the City their home.

After 7 years at Solar she changed jobs and she took a school secretary position in San Diego School System. For two years she was part of the group that opened Lewis Jr. High. By the middle 1950's Marg got a yen to travel so she left her job with the San Diego school System and went to work as a civilian secretary attached to the US Army stationed in France. During her first year in France she traveled all over France, especially to Paris. From France she moved to Germany where she lived for two years. During that time, she traveled all over Europe, to Ireland, England, Germany, Spain and especially Italy. Her travels in Italy took her to Venice, Florence and Rome where she was able to see the Pope, the catacombs and to Lourdes. She was also able to visit Isreal where she was able to see all the holy places and then to Egypt where she visited ancient sites and to the pyramids, during which time she took a short ride on a camel.

Just before her two year commitment to the Army in Germany in 1959, she ordered her first VW, which the Army shipped back to the US when she returned to San Diego. With her Margaret brought so many slides of all the places she visited and people she met in Europe, which all the family enjoyed viewing.

Upon returning to San Diego, Margaret rejoined St. Vincent de Pau'sl Parish and returned to a new job with the San Diego School District. During those years Margaret purchased a small home in Mission Hills on Eagle Street and at the age of 60 retired from the San Diego School District. After she retired margaret devoted her time to the St. Vincent's Alter Society, teaching religion classes, started a coffee hour after each Mass and was a faithful member of St. Vincent's Church Choir. It was after Margaret celebrated her 63rd birthday that she met her future husband, a widower Vernon Poret, who was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Parish and choir. In October of 1983, after Margaret's 64th birthday, Vernon and Margaret were married at St. Vincents and began their married life in the house on Eagle Street. The 10 Years she had with Vernon were wonderful years; they visited family and friends around the country either driving the yellow Cadillac or traveling by train. They celebrated every wedding anniversary with joy.

In late 1991 Vernon's health began to fail and he passed away in the spring of 1993. Vernon was such a wonderful and loved addition to Margaret's family that he has been greatly missed all these years. After Vernon passed away Margaret continued on with her busy life, traveling, meeting friends for lunch or supper. In April, a week before her 93rd birthday Margaret was rushed to the hospital to have emergency surgery. She survived the surgery but her health began to fail and on Monday, November 5th, she left this world and went Home to rest in the arms of the Lord. She will be greatly missed by her 18 nieces and nephews and their families, many, many grand nephews and nieces and extended family and her many friends. We will all miss her love, charity, generous heart, smiles, jokes and hugs. Visitation at the Merkley-Mitchell Mortuary will be Monday, November 12 from 4pm to 7pm. Final services will be at Tuesday, November 13 at St. Vincent de Paul Parish on Jackdaw Street, beginning with the Rosary at 10:00am followed by the funeral Mass at 10:30am. After the service, a luncheon will be held in the Church Hall.