Marguerite Catherine Stoumpos

Marguerite "Marge" Catherine Stoumpos was born in Newark, New Jersey on October 13, 1940. She grew up with her brother Francis "Sonny", and sisters Maureen and Betty; she also has a half-brother, Floyd. Her mother died at an early age, and Marge spent time in her youth living with her eldest sister as well as her aunt. She had a Catholic upbringing and was very involved with her church. In her teenage years, Marge spent time occasionally competing in partner dance competitions for fun - she loved music and couldn't keep still if the radio was on. She also loved roller skating and ice skating. Some of her dates with Jim were at a skating rink.

On May 9, 1959, Marge married Jim Stoumpos after about a year of courtship. In her early married life, Marge spent time helping her sister with her dry cleaning business. Living in New Jersey, Marge and Jim started their family when their daughter Helen was born in 1965. In addition to raising their daughter, it was during those early years that Marge learned a great deal about Italian cooking from their beloved landlady - which of course led to Marge's meatballs of which she became well-known for, and were a key staple at many family gatherings. Marge and Jim then went on to buy their first house in Madison, NJ before relocating 5 years later to Lansing, Michigan for one year. The family moved to California permanently in 1974.After moving to California, their daughter Maryellen was born in 1976. Marge was very focused on family and doted not only on her own family, but was always caring for those around her in her life. This was a woman who brought extra jackets to Disneyland to give to other people's children if they got cold! And there was never a time when there wasn't a warm meal cooking for whoever walked through the door. Marge was also a lover of animals - dogs, cats and whatever would find her…including squirrels, and she fed all of them as well.

Later in life, Marge was lovingly known as Grandma Nicki and was very focused on being a part of her grandchildren's lives - Rachel (25), Sean (23), Sara (20), Aaron (4), and Andrew (3mos.).

Marge's gift in life was being a person of comfort to everyone she met - she was a caregiver, a confidante, someone to laugh with, a true supporter, a teacher of life lessons…she was the woman who gave others warmth in spirit. But not only was this woman loving, she was tenacious too. One of her hobbies was closely watching what was happening in the political arena, and Marge made many calls to senators and representatives over the years to influence decisions based on what she felt was right. That was her way of caring for her country. Throughout her entire life, Marge selflessly gave of herself in so many ways.

Marge is survived by her husband Jim, sister Maureen, daughters Helen and Maryellen, and her 5 grandchildren.

Native American Prayer

I give you this one thought to keep –

I am with you still- I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am sunlight on ripen grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken

in the morning’s hush,

I am the swift, uplifting rush

of quiet birds encircled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not think of me as gone –

I am with you still – in each new dawn.