Margaret Ann Marcroft

Margaret Ann Marcroft passed away in peace at her home in Salinas, California, at age 92. She was surrounded by love, family, heavenly spirits and within earshot of 49ers football. Margaret was born to Arthur and Frances Hutcheson, the eldest of their eight children. She grew up in gloriously warm and fertile Visalia, California, loving the freedom and hard work of farming life. She started high school in Visalia but jumped at the adventure of finishing at Immaculate Heart High School for Girls in Hollywood, CA graduating in 1949. Back in Visalia, College of the Sequoias came next, finishing up that learning chapter at San Jose State, graduating in June of 1953. From San Jose she earned a teaching degree and found the love of her life, Ed (or John depending where and when you met him). He "pursued her relentlessly" she reported in her memoir (published in 2021). Margaret and John married on June 26, 1954 and had seven children in a little under 12 years, moving the home team from house to bigger house many times. She was blessed with organizational skills far beyond the average allotment and put those skills to good use. As busy as family would have kept her, Margaret also actively pursued her faith, tennis, travel and learning. In a four-summer course of study, she earned a Master of Applied Spirituality degree from the University of San Francisco graduating in the summer of 1986 collecting more friends, more knowledge and a deeper understanding of herself and her faith. Throughout her life the constants – always taught by example – were faith, family, friends, sports, nature and the pursuit of learning and purpose.Margaret loved the family that launched her. She is survived by her brother Patrick and sisters Eileen and Elizabeth; the day of her passing marked the one-year anniversary of the passing of her dear brother Vince. She loved the family she made with John: Catherine (Will), Michael (Debbie), Theresa, Joan, Carol, Janet (Jim) and Lisa (Rich, gone too soon). She had 16 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. All were a tremendous source of pride. Being involved in each and every one of their lives was a given and a joy, not to mention, those kinds of numbers could really fill out a party, and Margaret loved a party.A Rosary will be said on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 6pm at Struve and Laporte Chapel, 41 W. San Luis St. Salinas, CA. A funeral Mass will be held Friday, November 17, 2023 at 11am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1 Railroad Ave. Spreckels, CA. A celebration of Margaret's life will follow the Mass at St. Joseph's. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to your favorite charity. Funeral Arrangements by Struve and Laporte Funeral Home.Online condolences to www.struveandlaporte.com