Margaret Layshock

Margaret Ruth Layshock
May 10, 1924 – December 12, 2025

The youngest of five children of Armenian immigrant parents, Margaret was born and raised in Providence. She loved being a Rhode Islander and regularly sang the praises of her state’s many beaches. Margaret attended Classical High School, where she enjoyed her required four years of Latin and was captain of the girls’ basketball team. She went on to major in Political Science at Pembroke College/Brown University, commuting there by streetcar as one of the “City Girls” during the war years. Margaret remained a dedicated Brown alumna, even traveling to her 70th reunion in 2015.

At a USO dance in 1944, she met Navy Seabee John Layshock, whom she married in 1948. Margaret worked as a Claims Adjuster at Liberty Mutual Insurance, a role previously held only by men, and supported John as he completed his Engineering degree. They moved several times in their early marriage but remained in Pittsburgh, PA, through the birth of their three children, Pete, Steve, and Jane. In 1961, the family moved to Moraga, CA, where they called home for 45 years. Margaret created a wonderful home life, even while John was far away for extended business trips. She also enjoyed French classes, Bible Study and Mom’s Council at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church (MVPC), and local AAUW and Brown alumni events. As an empty-nester, Margaret traveled extensively, either with John or to meet up with him, visiting 50 countries and circling the globe twice. In 2005, they moved to the Rossmoor community in Walnut Creek, CA, where she was very happy to live out her life.

Margaret adored her family and was immensely proud of her grandchildren, Joseph and Lauren, and the young adults they have become. She cherished her lifelong friendships – some lasting 80 years – and was inquisitive, wanting to learn something about everyone she met, including every caregiver in her final weeks. Margaret was blessed with good health and good spirits for over 101 years, and she will be dearly missed!

Margaret was predeceased by her husband John Layshock and son Peter Layshock, and is survived by son Steven Layshock, daughter-in-law Joanne Layshock, grandson Joseph Layshock, daughter Jane Healy, son-in-law Robert Healy, and granddaughter Lauren Healy. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 21, 1:00pm, at MVPC (10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga). In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation to her church (MVPCtoday.org) or the University of Rhode Island ‘Layshock Scholarship’ (https://www.alumni.uri.edu/layshock).