Mrs. Margaret Alice Rodgers

Margaret Alice Russell was born on October 3rd, 1932 to Mary Lucille von Biela and George Sawyer Russell in Kingman, Arizona. Margaret’s birth was especially precious to George and Mary, coming 2 years after the death of their first-born baby, Walter Lee. All her life, she was affectionately known as “Sissy” to her family. Margaret spent her first 13 years in her beloved Arizona, moving to Ventura with her mother and stepfather, Henry Maher, in 1945. Margaret, “Margie”, graduated from Ventura High School in 1950, and 2 years later married David Rolland Secor. Their marriage produced 2 children, Gregory and Mary. Once her children began school, Margaret worked most of her adult life at the Port Hueneme Naval Base in Oxnard, where she met her second husband, Robert Rodgers. Both retired from the base in 1986, and spent time travelling in their 5th wheel. Margaret loved to travel from an early age, and spent many vacations with her family traveling in their car. Her favorite trips were those taken to the deserts of Arizona, where many of her relatives still live today.
Margaret loved to have her family around her, and many holiday meals were spent at ‘Sis’s house’, with family and friends enjoying being together. Margaret had a pretty good sense of humor and had a gift of telling a well-embellished tale with gusto. She loved to garden, and crochet and read mystery novels, and she loved her children. She enjoyed going on picnics and camping too, with many days being spent at Lake Casitas and Camp Comfort, as she always enjoyed a good, sunny day outside.
Margaret spent the last 5 years of her life surrounded by the loving care of Irene and Rick Paz and their family at Katie’s Cozy Cottage in Oxnard. Margarets’ son, Gregory, who had called his mom three times a day for years and visited often, and the Paz family, kept Margaret happy and healthy, while enjoying her humor and love in return. While there, Margaret especially enjoyed sharing her birthday parties with her little friend, Hannah.
Margaret passed away on March 9th, 2011 surrounded by family and friends. Margaret is preceded in death by her mother and father, her younger brother, Michael Maher, husband Bob, and aunts, Margaret and Alice. She is survived by her son, Gregory Secor of Simi Valley; daughter, Mary Secor of Greentown, PA; and brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Janice Maher of Arroyo Grande. She is also survived by her nieces, Stacy Olsen and Cindy Reinwald and nephew, John Maher.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the national Alzheimer’s Association, or the American Stroke Association.