Margaret A. Mack

1922 - 2006

"Such valor and wisdom in your gentle, kind eyes and warm perfect smile. Words were unnecessary...

your heart said it all."

-- Margaret's daughter Carrie

Our cherished Margaret A. Mack, forever in our hearts, passed into the peaceful embrace of our Lord on May 10, 2006, with family at her side.

It is with deepest sorrow on this Mother's Day that we announce our profound loss. She captured the hearts of many with her radiant, loving nature, and her sweet, selfless heart.

Margaret was born July 13, 1922, in Chicago, Ill. The eldest child of Sophie and John Osowski, she had two younger brothers, Ray and Robert. She cared for Robert after childhood polio tragically returned, and while in Illinois, provided shelter throughout his challenged adulthood.

As a child, surrounding her were numerous neighboring aunts, uncles, and cousins; they loved doting on their "Dolly." Witnessing her extended family struggle for employment during the Depression, she respected the value of hard work, and at an early age became a seamstress to help make ends meet. Later in life, she devotedly drove on snowy streets to visit and oversee the care of elderly aunts and uncles taken ill.

Margaret was preceded in death by her young husband Sergeant William Dickson White. He lost his life Dec. 30, 1944, serving U.S. forces abroad as an aircraft tail gunner. She never forgot the protective kindness of military personnel to their infant daughter, Pamela, as they travelled by train to U.S. bases to visit William. Vowing never to marry again, mother and daughter remained with family until a "chance" meeting with her brother Bob's best friend, Donald F. Mack. They married on Dec. 29, 1951, and raised three daughters on a rustic two and a half acre farm property in suburban Illinois.

Margaret excelled at being the helm of their extremely successful carpet cleaning business from 1954 to 1982, before moving to Ventura County. She was salesperson, dispatcher, and bookkeeper for "Des Plaines Service," while being an attentive at-home mom.

Tirelessly, after dinner and homework, she drove her girls to every imaginable type of dance, music, acting, or gymnastics class of their choice. Summertime weekends meant a trip to the beach, followed by a drive-in movie, or a bicycle ride around Lake Michigan, followed by a carnival. Cooler months invited museums, a play, or the movies.

Margaret was a child advocate by nature. Her protective and utterly selfless devotion to her children never ended, as she also continued to help raise and entertain her beloved grandchildren, until devastating illness was realized in 2000.

Margaret is survived by her most cherished companion and loving husband Don; daughter and son-in-law Pamela and Robert Schroeder; daughter and son-in-law Kathleen and Robert Fowler; granddaughter and great-granddaughter Sandra Fowler and Ashley Leather; grandson, Steven Fowler; granddaughter and great-granddaughter Stacey Fowler and Kaylin Butler; and daughter Carrie.

We wish to express deepest gratitude to Michele Ghaussy, M.D., who expertise, warmth, and compassion paved a path of courage for our Margaret to receive medical care. We thank Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association, Care Level Management, Vitas hospice, and the gentle staff of Sunshine House 2, who protectively stood vigil and provided tireless support to the family. We also thank Coast Caregiver Resource Center and Senior Concerns.

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, with a chapel service to follow, at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, 2052 Howard Road, Camarillo, CA 93012; phone 1-805-482-1959.