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Marguerite Goshay O'Donnell

1929 - 2021

Marguerite Goshay O'Donnell obituary, 1929-2021, Corona, CA

Marguerite O'Donnell Obituary

O'Donnell, Marguerite (Maggie) Goshay Dec. 19, 1929 - Feb. 3, 2021 Marguerite (Maggie) Grace Goshay O'Donnell, a former congressional field representative, community relations manager, municipal housing coordinator and the mother of eight children, died in Corona on February 3 at the age of 91. Maggie was born in Hollywood in 1929, to Mary Marcella Knox and Donald Cletus Goshay. She had one sister and three brothers. Growing up in Hollywood, Maggie was someone who was not dazzled by movie stars. However, she had great "behind the scenes" stories about growing up in the "Movie Capital of America" during the 1930s and 40s, meeting many show business elites of the era. Because her father, a sound engineer for Altec Lansing, worked for a time in the film industry, she and her siblings occasionally appeared as "extras" in movies during the Depression years. She was an extra in several "Our Gang" movies, a swimmer in an Esther Williams movie and a little girl in a sandbox in the 1934 movie "The World Accuses." Maggie attended Cherimoya Elementary School and graduated from Immaculate Heart High School in Hollywood in 1947. She then attended UCLA where she met her future husband, the late William C. "Bill" O'Donnell. They were married in 1949. Maggie rented her silk and satin wedding dress, much to the dismay of her daughters. A few years following the birth of her youngest child, Maggie returned to college and received a BA in American Studies, and an MA in Political Science, from California State University, Los Angeles. She also earned a lifetime teaching credential from the California Community Colleges. Always a stickler for proper grammar, Maggie valued education and encouraged her children to be lifelong learners and to improve their understanding of the world. In the early 1970s, she worked as the housing coordinator for the City of Pomona, followed by a position as the senior housing assistant for the Valley Association of Cities. She then spent five years as the Field Representative for Congressman Jim Lloyd (D-West Covina), 1975-80, prior to working for Lewis Homes as a local government liaison. Beginning in 1982, Maggie was the Southern California Community Relations Manager for the Northrop Corporation's Pico Rivera B-2 Facility, retiring in 1995. As someone whose jobs usually required public speaking engagements, Maggie was always amused that she was consistently introduced to audiences as "the mother of eight children," which seemed to draw more interest than the subject of her speeches. Maggie and Bill raised their large family in the City of Pico Rivera, where they lived for nearly 40 years before moving to Oceanside. The two of them shared a strong belief in community service, and were active in local politics and charities. Maggie served on the Boards of Directors for the United Way and Beverly Hospital. She also served as a City of Pico Rivera Planning Commissioner, as well as President of the Pico Rivera Chamber of Commerce. In addition to traveling with Bill to more than a dozen countries, Maggie loved to knit and continued her lifelong interest in sewing by becoming a prolific and talented quilter during her retirement. She made numerous afghans and quilts for her family members and friends and was known for her robust "fabric stash." She is survived by seven of her eight children: Kathleen Beitiks of San Francisco; Tim (Gail) of Yorba Linda; Mary Jo Sloan (Gary) of Corona; Peggy (Alan) of Sydney, Australia; Terence (Danna) of La Verne; Jeanne of Whittier; and Elizabeth of Whittier. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Maggie was predeceased in 2013 by her husband, Bill, and in 2004 by her daughter Ann Ybarra (Anthony) of Whittier. In addition, she is survived by her brothers Robert and Michael, and sister Lorraine. Her brother Donald Knox died in 2007. Memorial services are pending. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a contribution in Maggie's memory be made to Immaculate Heart High School, 5515 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles CA, 90028. Neptune Society 951-359-2021

Published by Pasadena Star-News on Feb. 16, 2021.
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Maggie was the most friendly and outgoing person I ever met she was a master at her position working at the B-2 plant in Pico Rivera. It was important then that we connect with the community and she engaged us to be involved in community activities and we willing did. Most people I known who had positions like this were window dressing and didn't engage themselves or the company in meaningful activities. She will be missed.

Richard James Navarro

Coworker

February 20, 2021

OEM colleagues and friends

February 14, 2021

Maggie was truly an outstanding woman, ahead of her time. My love to the family!

Barbara O'Donnell

Family

February 14, 2021

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