Margretta Anna Dollard

Margretta passed away peacefully at her home in San Jose, CA, at age 105. Her husband, music, and books were definitely the three loves of her life. No matter where Margretta lived she was involved in churches, libraries, singing groups and civic organizations.

Born and raised in Washington, DC, she graduated from American University in 1940 and began working at the Library of Congress. As WWII broke out, she took a government position that sent her to Florida. There she met her future husband, Neil, and after a short time, they married. They were happily married for 61 years until his passing in 2004.

After the war, they settled in Palo Alto where Neil went to work for Pan Am and they welcomed two daughters, Barbara and Kris. Eventually the family moved to Monte Sereno where Margretta was involved in the church and sang in the choir; she directed the children's choir and a small singing group (the Lydians) that visited retirement homes. Margretta also served on the board of Los Gatos Community Concerts, volunteered at Montalvo and school and local libraries. In between all of this, Margretta and Neil were able to travel the world. While she didn't visit every single country, she certainly saw every single country that she wanted to see.

With Neil's pending retirement, they moved to Sky Ranch, in the Santa Cruz Mountains, in 1978. Margretta continued her involvement with the Skyland Community Church as music director, as well as with the Loma Prieta Club and the Elbon Singers. As a lifelong fan of both music and education, Margretta continued her support of Los Gatos Community Concert, attending operas, concerts and lectures from San Francisco to Los Gatos.

With Neil's passing in 2004, some feared that Margretta would not be able to stay at Sky Ranch. Due to the excellent care and support provided by her eldest daughter, Barbara Crawford, and husband Doug, Margretta was able to stay in her beloved Santa Cruz Mountains for an additional 12 years. At 96, she moved to independent living at The Meadows, in Los Gatos, then Atria Willow Glen, and then finally assisted living at Belmont Village Los Gatos. Not surprisingly, she joined the choir and volunteered in the library at The Meadows, then started a choir and volunteered in the library upon moving to Atria.

Margretta is survived by her two daughters, Barbara Crawford (Doug) of Spanish Springs, NV, and Kris Dollard of San Jose, CA, and her grandson, Neil Crawford, of Berkeley, CA, and many dear friends.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 15th, at 11:00 AM, at Skyland Community Church, 25100 Skyland RD, Los Gatos, followed by light refreshments.