Margaret Elaine Digiacinto
October 22, 1924 — March 23, 2015
She was born on October 22, 1924 in Maiden Rock, Wisconsin to Clarence Roy Wheeler and Helen Marie Myers (Flynn). She grew up in Red Wing, Minnesota and later between Red Wing and Los Angeles. She was proud of her hardy, small town, Midwestern roots, and had fond memories of her childhood, particularly winter sports like ice skating and sledding that she enjoyed with her cousins and friends.
On September 8, 1946 she married John Digiacinto at Saint Columbkilles Church in Los Angeles. She met her future husband when he was discharged from the Navy after the war through her best friend and his sister, Lena. Until her first child came along, she worked as a dental assistant, and for some years thereafter as a homemaker and mom. In October of 1950 the couple moved into their home in Lakewood, the house at which Margaret would continue to reside until she moved to Redwood City in Northern California in June of 2006.
The couple was one of the earliest members of Saint Cyprian Parish in Long Beach. The parish and its school were focal points of their family life from the moment they moved into their home in Lakewood. Both of their children attended and graduated from Saint Cyprian School and Margaret was a prolific volunteer, for everything from teaching children Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes for many years to being a Eucharistic Minister.
In 1965, Margaret was asked to replace a third grade teacher at Saint Irenaeus Parish School who had become ill and unable to complete the school year. Accepting this "temporary" position proved to be a life-changing event for her and for the hundreds of children she taught and counseled over the next 30 years. During the course of her career at Saint Irenaeus, she taught children in the first, third, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades, teaching eighth graders for twelve years. Eventually she was promoted to vice principal and "retired" in 1995 at the age of 75. She continued doing public relations projects for the school and substitute teaching until she was 80 years of age. Teaching at Saint Irenaeus was a complete joy for her, making it possible for her to combine her love for children in the embrace of the community of faith of the Catholic Church.
Margaret was predeceased by her husband John in 1983.
Their two children and their spouses are John Digiacinto (Peggy) of Foster City, California and Jan Charrier (Greg) of Huntington Beach, California.
She is also survived by four grandchildren and their spouses: John Edward Digiacinto (Carolyn), Glenna Murillo (Tony), Ami Mora (Joe), Jason Charrier and Jennifer Isenhour (Brandon). She is also survived by six great-grandchildren: Margaret, Alice, Ami Aurora, Lillian, Jackson and Huntington. She is also survived by her sister Diane Gonzales (Bill) of Buena Park, California and many nieces and nephews.
Margaret was an inherently positive person who treasured the friends she made over the course of her long and productive life. Her beloved friends Judy and Joe Statti lived next door to her and her husband in Lakewood, California, and kept in frequent contact with her even after she moved to Redwood City. She treasured them both. Also keeping in touch with her over the years she was in Northern California were dear friends Pat Grote and Bev Harrison. Hers was a life well lived.
Arrangements under the direction of Luyben-Dilday Mortuary, Long Beach, CA.
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