Margaret Emma Nemeth Botka

Margaret was born on Halloween in Homestead, PA, to Hungarian immigrants Stephen and Suzanne Nemeth, the youngest of five children. Soon after graduation from Homestead High, she met Joseph Botka at a wedding in Buffalo, NY, his hometown. He immediately captured her heart. WWII intervened, and Joe joined the Army. A loving long-distance correspondence ensued. They were wed soon after his discharge, during a snowstorm, on January 20, 1946. Their happy marriage lasted two weeks short of 63 years, until January 9, 2009, when Joe died. The newlyweds settled in New York City, where Joe attended NYU and Margaret worked various jobs to support them. After his graduation, they moved to the Philadelphia area, where he received a master's degree in social work administration from the University of Pennsylvania. The couple moved to Wilmington, DE, where Joe was employed by the Juvenile Court as a probation officer. Margaret attended what is now West Chester State University, studying elementary education. The birth of daughters Greta and Holly soon followed. The family later moved to Annapolis, MD, then back to Wilmington, then to Akron, OH, and finally to the San Francisco area, where in each of these cities Joe headed the Juvenile Court system. In 1995, after Joe retired, they moved to Rancho Santa Fe to be closer to their daughters.Margaret was bitten by the travel bug when, as a teen, she toured Europe with her mother and her older sister. The urge to travel and learn about other cultures never abated. Margaret and Joe were enthusiastic members of the World Affairs Council, and they traveled the globe. Margaret always said that her favorite place was the island of Gozo, part of Malta.Margaret was a woman of steadfast faith, and very loving and giving to others. Her daughters were taught from a very early age that charity begins at home; she loved her family dearly, and always helped those around her who were in need.Margaret's other loves were dancing (this passion was mentioned in her high school yearbook), music and poetry. Her daughters recall that classical music was the soundtrack of their childhood, and frequent attendance at concerts, recitals, and plays was a major family activity. Both parents were prone to burst into song at any moment; Margaret would spontaneously recite poetry, in either English or Hungarian, to suit the situation at hand. As many can attest, Margaret was very playful and would dance at the drop of a hat, often requesting a dance with any gentleman standing nearby. One of her favorite popular tunes was Leonard Cohen's "Dance Me to the End of Love." She loved singing this song with her guitar teacher. We are sure that she and her beloved Joe are now dancing together in heaven.Margaret died peacefully at home at the age of 99 on January 18, 2024. Both daughters were with her. She is survived by daughters Greta Treadgold (Stephen) and Holly Otto (Warren), grandsons Jonathan Treadgold, Paul Treadgold and Elliott Liu, great-grandson Dylan Treadgold, and numerous nieces and nephews whom she cherished. The family would like to thank her wonderful caregivers Marsha Wenskay, Sue Reidenbaugh, Rebecca Moore, and Richelle Bell, and nurse Anna Seaton of Hospice of the North Coast.At her specific request, there will be no public memorial service; a private celebration will occur at a later date.In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Village Community Presbyterian Church, Rancho Santa Fe, Hospice of the North Coast, or to any nonprofit arts charity of your choosing.