Today, 18 June 5:10 a.m., we lost Margaret after a 6+ year battle with cancer. But, cancer had to accept something less than a decisive victory, for it was not only the effects of this disease that ultimately took her, but the debilitating effects of the chemo regimen that held the cancer at bay for five years beyond the prognosis, that ultimately lead to her demise. Death was neither quick, nor without pain, as one would expect in a situation where one goes down fighting. While down for the count, the San Diego Hospice people performed admirably in maximizing her comfort. Heartfelt thanks are also extended to her primary care physician, Dr. Hamid Ghazi, and to her oncologist, Dr. Nina Liu, who were also her "adopted children," whether they knew it or not, and, who responded with care above the call of duty. One would also be remiss in not acknowledging the contributions of her care-giver, "personal chef," "masseuse," and friend, Deborah Brown, and, the efforts of former teaching associate and friend, Elaine DuCharme, whose devotion put her voluntarily on-call for anything Margaret needed. And, recognition should also be accorded to friend and neighbor, Dorothy Martin, for her on-call assistance, and, for her help in final harvests and canning from Margay's garden.

Margaret, or Margay as her mother called her, was the mother of the family webmaster, Michael Pottorff, and his sister, Yvonne Pottorff Peck. She was also mother to countless “adopted” sons and daughters, who found themselves homeless, needing a place to stay while attending school, needing help with their homework, in need of a surrogate grandmother, or who were merely anointed as “adopted children.” A partial list of the "adopted" children, sharing the protection of Margay's roof, and, in contact with Margay in her final days included, Mark Gabler, Cece Wooten (Swed), Sheilia Brooks, John Smiley, Asako Komiya, nephew Bill Kriskovich, and grandson Aaron Peck. With the passing of her sister, Annie, and brother-in-law, Jack, their children: Paula Hansen Klema, her son Dustin Berg, and husband John Klema, and; Johanna Hansen Whisman, her husband Don Whisman and their son, Elden, were seamlessly transported to Margay's holiday tables.

Margaret was born in Gadsden, Arizona to Croatian émigrés Petar Segulja and Johana Mudrovcic. She will be greeted in heaven by her husband, of 53 years, Nathan Pottorff, her parents, her Uncle Felix Segulja and Aunt Betty, her sister Annie Segulja Hansen, and her sister’s husband, Jack Hansen, shortly before the celestial family bridge tables catch fire. During her last 60 days on earth, she garnered a career high 24 hand score, won a marathon tournament even though both she and fellow bridge shark partner Dawna were hospitalized, albeit with an insurmountable lead. And, she left another ongoing marathon, halfway through, with both she and Dawna in first place. Needless to say, the onset of the debilitating pain was sudden, striking while she was at the top of her game—a place she had occupied for most of her 86 years.

Margaret was an elementary school teacher, spending the last 30 years of her career at Naranca school. Margaret was a master teacher for many aspiring student teachers and often cited as a model teacher. Margaret was named as a “Woman of Distinction,” for her leadership roles in education, and, as an advocate for girls through her membership with the Lakeside Optimrs Club. For much of the last ten years, she was an active member of the Red Hat Society.

Margaret loved to travel—an activity curtailed by the illness of her husband, Nathan. After his passing, Margaret happily joined with son Michael and girlfriend Cece as she travelled the globe, collecting passport stamps in 33 foreign countries while visiting 20 states during the same time period. Margay eagerly participated in the industrial strength usage of Michael and Cece’s timeshares.

Dinner at Margay’s was a treat as her gastronomic repertoire was immense, often featuring homegrown items from her garden. Many of her recipes survive her in the catalogs of friends and families and in the published works of local recipe books.

Margay’s garden was known for more than table-fare as it was also a destination spot for Sunday drive-by looky-loos, seeking to get a glimpse of the floral splendor provided by her 100+ Tea Roses, numerous day lilies, disparate bulbs and camellias.

Margaret is survived by her son, Michael, and long time girlfriend, Cece Swed, of Winchester, California, and daughter Yvonne Pottorff Peck and her husband, Ron, of Rio Hondo, Texas, and their children: son, Aaron Peck and his wife Holly, of Oxnard, California, and, son, Ryan Peck of Montana.

Her passing will be both grieved by those left on earth and cheered by those welcoming her to heaven—she is dearly loved, EVERYWHERE.

ARRANGEMENTS:

Visitation--Greenwood Mortuary--Thursday, July 1, 2010 from 4:00--8:00

-----4300 Imperial Avenue
-----San Diego, CA 92113

Funeral Service at Salli Lynn Chapel--Friday, July 2, 2010 at 10:00

Wake--Immediately Following at Margaret's house

-----9663 Woodland Vista Drive
-----Lakeside, California
-----(home phone) (619) 443-3298

cell phone contacts:

son Mike 760-275-6980	adopted daughter Cece 760-275-6985	real daughter Yvonne (956) 245-6028 available June 30-July 2
caretaker Debbie 760-275-3262	food-niece Johanna (619) 390-8507	flowers or donations to charities in lieu -niece Paula (619) 201-3766
	Indispensable Help John Klema (619) 933-8383

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