Margaret Ann (Norris) Wilkinson OBITUARY

Margaret (Norris) Wilkinson slipped across the great divide just a month short of her 95th birthday. Born in Los Angeles, she was the middle daughter of Robert and Winifred (LeMessinger) Norris. Marge graduated from Sacred Heart High School of Los Angeles in 1947, and attended UCLA where she met Robert Wilkinson, whom she married in January 1951. They spent three years living a bicoastal life while Bob was a member of the New York Giants football team, then settled in Van Nuys, California. The first four of her five children arrived by mid-1956. She moved to Los Altos in 1959, where she lived for 40 years, welcoming her fifth child in 1961. She won a California state doubles bowling championship with her friend Donna in the early 60s, noting that bowling worked with her lifestyle since there was babysitting onsite. She and Bob split in 1968. Marge was also very active with Democratic politics. In 2000, she traded the ‘burbs for the beach, living in a gorgeous home at Twin Lakes Beach that she remodeled extensively. She delighted in playing bridge with friends she made through the UC Santa Cruz bridge club. Her last three years were in assisted living as her health declined. She loved on her grandkids with great joy, giving her adult children a glimpse of how she must have enjoyed motherhood. Nothing delighted her more in her last year than seeing great-granddaughter Reagan, in person or in photographs. Her friends say she was outgoing and irrepressible and they enjoyed her company tremendously. Marge will be terribly missed.She is survived by 5 children, Robin Cunningham (Tom Burke) of Santa Cruz, Robert Wilkinson of Carmichael, Theresa Carey (Kent) of Palo Alto, Dana Boyd (Doug) of Scottsdale AZ, and Jennifer Jensen of El Dorado Hills, CA. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren Dustin Cunningham (Quyen), Colleen Carey Lough (Ryan), Kate Carey Easwar (Kapil), Molly Boyd Reid (Jered), Mitchell Jensen, Emily Boyd Mekari (Patrick), Heather Jensen, and Monica Wilkinson. In addition, she leaves behind two great-grandchildren, Aiden Reid and Reagan Lough. She is also survived by her sister Agnes Pritchett and many dear friends. Marge was predeceased by her sister Mary Williams, her ex-husband Bob, and son-in-law Fred Jensen. The family plans a celebration of Marge’s life at 3PM on May 18, 2024 at Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga Street, Santa Cruz, CA with a reception to follow. Please RSVP to twcarey@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to WomenCARE (https://fsa-cc.org/womencare/), Santa Cruz Shakespeare (https://santacruzshakespeare.org/) or any voting rights organization of your choosing.