Margaret Dervin

MARGARET MARY DERVIN

Died peacefully of natural causes at her residence at the Motion Picture/Television Home in Woodland Hills, CA, on Friday, September 5, 2014. Known as "Meggs" by her many friends, she was 99 years old.

She was born on February 22, 1915 in Lynn, MA, to the late Timothy and Margaret Murphy. After high school, Margaret attended Salem Teachers College and, upon graduation, taught in a one room schoolhouse in St. Albans, VT. She met her future husband Joe in Boston on a blind date. Following their engagement, he moved to Los Angeles in order to establish his career. Margaret, after two years of teaching in Vermont, followed him to California, and on August 2, 1940 they were married In Westwood.

Margaret and Joe were avid travelers, visiting China, Mexico, Canada, numerous trips to Europe and many US states. Recognizing that she was married to a serious golfing fan, she took up the sport and for many years was a member of the Griffith Park Women's Golf Club. They were also very interested in antiques and acquired many unique and unusual pieces. She had been a longtime member of the Saint Joseph's Hospital (Burbank) Women's Guild, participating in many annual fundraising projects.

Through her husband's career as a film editor, they were able to move into the Motion Picture Television Fund Residences in 2004. After his passing in 2005, Margaret continued to participate in numerous activities including an improv group and exercise classes, which she was still attending into her final month. Her love of color, which had prompted her to take up painting years earlier, led her to design and organize a "Purple Day" at the Residences which enjoyed wide participation.

Margaret was preceded by Joe, her husband of 66 years. She is survived by their four children: Joe Jr. (Donna), Peggy Coon (David), Bob (Betty) and Kathy (Byron Ackerman); grandchildren, Kevin (Scarlett), Jessica, Megan, Chris and Shannon; and great grandchildren, Selina, Connor and Amaya. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Helen Vitagliano; nieces, Sharon, Mary Alice, Gerry and Maggie; and nephews, Larry and Michael. In addition to her parents, Margaret was preceded by her three brothers, Walter, Frances and Robert Murphy.

She was interred in a private ceremony at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery. There will be a celebration of her life held on Saturday, October 11th, 1:30 p.m., in the Saban Center at the MPTF, address below. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations, in Margaret's name, be made to: MPTF Foundation, 23388 Mulholland Dr., Woodland Hills, CA 91364.