Margaret Jane McWhorter

Margaret Jane McWhorter, 88 RAMONA -- As beautiful as a movie star and as unaffected as a flower, our Mother, Margaret Jane Woods- Lange McWhorter died Tuesday evening, November 16, 2010, at the age of 88 after having well-lived ten years with lung cancer. When sometimes asked how she stood the pain and fear of cancer she said, "I just make it neutral." She also told us she had made friends with her cancer. Born Sept. 5, 1922, in Long Beach, California, Margaret grew up in the Antelope Valley, California. She graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Drama. She met our father at a party just as my father shipped off with the Army during WWII. They wrote letters for five years, but never had a date before they married in 1944. In 1952, our parents moved from the Mohave Desert to Highland Valley Rd., Ramona, California, with the first three of their six children. In 1962, they moved to "The Big White Farmhouse" at the corner of Dye and Highland Valley Road. On Highland Valley Rd., our folks raised turkeys and lost their shirts. Later, they both became Farm and Land Brokers and we all lived rich sometimes, penniless at others. For a while she had a radio show for children called Margaret's Magic Carpet. She also taught 4-H, was President of the local American Field Service, was certified as a Touch for Health Instructor with Palomar College, was an acupuncturist, gardened, practiced yoga and tai chi, belly danced, started and owned a publishing company (Ransom Hill Press), wrote books, was an avid reader of books of all kinds (but mainly how to's and spiritual books) and she very effectively and positively read palms and tea leaves. She then continued her studies at UCSD, earning her certificate as a Farm and Land Broker, similar to a Masters. She also learned pattern making and sewing, did beautiful calligraphy, and followed the nutritionist Adele Davis's line of thinking. What Mother did best was love everyone. She never said mean or jealous words about people. And, for the incredibly physically beautiful woman she was, we can't think of anyone who was ever jealous of her or said anything unkind about her! How could they? She loved them. Our mother was predeceased by our father James H. McWhorter (Old Jim) August 6th, 2000 and her grandson, Michael Lange Meyers. Left to miss her forever are her children, Venus Catherine Andrecht, Polly Jane Meyers (Dr. Ron) Barbara Raifsnider (John) James Lange McWhorter (Cynthia) Arthur Allen McWhorter (Mary Ellen) and Candy Ann Smiley (Steve); and grandchildren, Summer Andrecht McStravick (Charles), Josh Meyers (Kelli), Calixte and Arend Raifsnider, Jordan McWhorter and John and Kristopher McWhorter, Nicole Boyer (Russ) and Trenton Smiley (Emily). She also leaves eleven great-grandchildren. All of us and our Mother welcome her friends and all those who love her to her memorial service, Sunday Nov. 28, 11 a.m., at her son, Jim's, Third Street Grill, at the corner of Third and Main, Ramona, Calif. 92065. Mom tried to live long enough to be at Jim's restaurant opening, and we feel she will bless his fortunes with her party. We now reluctantly and sadly say good-bye and Godspeed to a beautiful being. Instead of flowers, please consider donations to Ramona Senior Center, Aqua Lane, Ramona, Calif., 92065 or Hospice donations in her name would be gratefully accepted by Avalon Hospice at 3914 Murphy Cyn Rd, #A226, San Diego, Calif. 92123 Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com