With sadness Margaret Aldridge-Morris passed away on the evening Wednesday January 21st in San Jose. Margo’s sister Anne, grandson Jerobi and daughter Sarah were by her side.
My mother who liked to be known as Margo was born February 27 th 1944 in New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland. At aged 2, her parents Anne and Michael Madden and older sister Joan moved to London, United Kingdom, where the family grew to five girls.. my grandad Michael Madden was out numbered!
There are stories of my mum racing horses up the Irish Town in New Ross, she became Head Girl at The Oratory School London ,she loved riding a Vespa around city, I think she met my Dad in a Beatnik Bar in London… then I came along, shortly after my sister Rachael.
My mum’s love of Education led her to take a teaching degree a Hockerill College in Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, then to becoming a primary school teacher.
In 1980 Margo emigrated to California where her parents were now living and three of her sisters.
From here she taught early Apple Mac computer systems in a private Catholic School, in Los Gatos as her teaching credentials could not be used in USA, she was way ahead of her time!
This started her quest to get her BA, Masters then a PHD in Education at University of San Francisco. As soon as she could she became a First Grade Teacher , her main students having arrived from Central America, Mexico and Vietnam. Their parents would be non English speaking and usually the students were learning for the first time, so my mum’s strict classroom as well as appreciation of the arts meant they would all flourish quickly. Margo treasured the children’s artwork and gave countless extra hours during and afterschool.
Even the day before she died my mum was still correcting my grammar!
Margo also loved travelling and especially Bali, Indonesia, her adventurous spirit led her to Vietnam, Cambodia & India even when she was having difficulty walking, both trips were cut short, though she made it to the Taj Mahal!
Margo was quite a feisty adventurous woman, an incredible gardener, cook in the early years, antique lover,also learnt the skill of upholstery, animal lover, educator, always had several books on the go, music lover learning several instruments.
Margo is survived by her daughters Sarah and Rachael, her Grandchildren Samuel, Jerobi, Jamie and Georgia.
You may have some to share? Margo’s ashes will be buried in Fernwood Cemetery in Marin on what would have been her 82nd Birthday on Friday February 27th 1pm. Her legacy lives on in the hundreds of children she taught, the family she loved , and the independent spirit she carried all her life.
In lieu of flowers and if you wish please make a donation in Margo’s name at Bali’s Villa Kitty whom does incredible work saving cats, kittens and dogs.
https://www.villakitty.com/donate
Or treat yourself to a classic novel and remember Margo and her love of reading and education.
