Margret Ann Roth

Margret Ann Allen Roth passed away peacefully and comfortably, surrounded by loved ones, on July 26, 2019 in Chandler, Arizona. Margret, “Peggy”, was born in Holtville, California on the family ranch, which was pioneered over 100 years ago, and still remains in the family today. Margret was an elementary schoolteacher in California for 40 years. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from San Diego State University, her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from California State University at Fullerton, and completed her PhD coursework in gifted education for minority students at Northern Arizona University.

On June 7, 1953 Margret married John Lewis Roth (USN). They married after courting for only eight months, unheard of back in those days! John spied Margret, with her flaming red hair, playing tennis on the courts at Imperial Valley College, where they both were attending classes. John remembers fondly the winter in Rhode Island in which Margret accompanied him on a deployment in 1954. John and Margret spent a week “snowed in”, during which they couldn’t even get out to shop for groceries or for John to get to his ship! After John shipped out to sea, Margret’s adventurous, pioneer spirit took hold and she drove cross-country with a friend from the church to continue college classes at San Diego State University while her husband was deployed. Margret always loved a good road trip!

John and Margret were married for 66 years and had five children, 17 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren together. Margret is survived by her loving husband John, by her children Jon, Matthew, Melissa, Andrew, Sarah, and their respective families, and by her siblings Edith and Dennis. Margret was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Billy.

Margret was a beloved teacher and had touched many of her students’ lives throughout her career. Former students of hers had children and grandchildren that they requested be in her room for Kindergarten. Margret always said, “I knew I was old when I had grandchildren of former students come into my class”. Margret also made lifelong friends from her days teaching with whom she kept in contact, including students and fellow colleagues from the various schools where she was employed during her career.

Margret was a strong Christian woman. She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at a young age and was confident of her eternal home in heaven.

A graveside memorial service will be held August 9, 2019 at the Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery at Marana at one o’clock for immediate family. A casual celebration of Margret’s life will be held at Brookdale Assisted Living Chandler Regional immediately following the graveside service.