Margaret Kneif Wilcox

Margaret Kneif Wilcox, 99, departed this life Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, at Hillside Villa in Arroyo Grande, Calif., where she had been lovingly and faithfully cared for in her last five years. She was born in January 1913 in Taft, Calif., to Fred and Myrtle Kneif. The family spent her childhood years moving around the California oilfields. Margaret graduated from UC Berkley and earned her teaching credential at LA Teachers College. She went on to teach third grade and junior high art in Maricopa, Calif. On a YMCA sponsored trip to South America, Margaret met John Baird Wilcox. After a brief courtship they were married in Ventura, Calif., on December 23, 1940. They had celebrated 63 years of marriage at the time of his death in 2004. Margaret was a full-time homemaker and devoted herself to child rearing and caring for others in her community. She and John raised their five children at Saticoy Community Church. They went on to serve 30 years with Bible Fellowship Church, where she joyfully cared for children in the nursery, prepared meals for youth group and prayed regularly for missionary families. Margaret was active in Bible Study Fellowship and then Community Bible Study over a period of 36 years. Wherever she served, she brought beauty as she shared her creative gifts of cooking, gardening, sewing and visual arts. She was an avid reader and loved crosswords. Self-effacing, witty and a great listener, she was a joy to be around. Margaret is survived by her four daughters Margaret Frost (Rob), Laurie Malarich (Wayne), Louise Adaikkalam and Liz Stepanian (Dick); 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister, Elizabeth Lovelace of Bakersfield, Calif.; husband, John; and son, John Mark of Petaluma, Calif. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at Forest Lawn in Glendale, Calif. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, at Bible Fellowship Church, 6950 Ralston St. in Ventura. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to a charity of your choice. Marshall-Spoo 489-5552 Grover Beach