Margaret (Maggie) Elizabeth Morse

Dr. Morse, professor, author, beloved friend and family member, died on March 5, 2023 after a long struggle with Primary Progressive Aphasia. We now esteem her lifelong contributions to equality for women and understanding of film and art ethos.

Margaret Morse is renowned to students of media studies primarily due to her critically acclaimed analyses of media culture. Many of her works are now considered "classics" of the field. She was a Professor of Film and New Media most recently at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) from 1991 until her retirement in 2012. Prior to her work at UCSC she taught German language and literature at Cal Berkeley, University of San Francisco, and Vanderbilt. Her professional breakthrough came when she was hired to teach in the film department at University of Southern California.

Those who knew her probably recall that her favorite activities included attending films or art showings, conversing with friends or colleagues about art, film, feminism or politics, collecting artful items, preparing and eating gourmet food, and discovering delightful gifts and experiences for the children in her life.

Margaret was born to Janet Bradley Morse in Tucson, Arizona during WWII. At the time her father, Jonathan Morse, was being held in a German POW camp. Her father came home and her family grew to include sisters Melinda Morse (Sacramento) and Mary Morse Barton (Medford, OR). As with most military families they moved often, but Maggie was significantly influenced as a child by three years in Germany. This sparked her lifelong interest in German and art.

She graduated from high school in 1962 in Eureka, CA. In 1968 she completed her Bachelor's Degree at Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA. She spent two years of her Bachelor's program as an exchange student at the Free University of Berlin, West Germany. Forever after she adored Berlin where she lived and worked on and off for the remainder of her life.

Eventually Berkeley, California became her home base. She completed her Master's and Doctoral studies at Cal Berkeley, where she was awarded her Doctorate in German Literature and Philosophy in 1977.

In 1970 she met Joseph Petulla who became her dear husband for nearly 30 years until his death from cancer. They lived a fulfilling life as professors, published writers and advocates for equality and the environment. Thereafter, Robert McLean became her loving partner for 13 years sharing an interest in art and travel.

She is survived by two sisters, four nieces and nephews, their children and many treasured cousins, friends and colleagues.

Those who knew Maggie are invited to celebrate memories of her on Saturday, April 22 at 2 p.m. at Ciel Creative Space, 2611 Eighth Street, Berkeley. She is interred at the Sunset View Cemetery in El Cerrito, CA.

Donations in her memory can be made to The Women's Alzheimer Movement, Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, or National Public Radio.