Mary Margaret Bertsch, known to all who loved her as Maggie, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2017, at home in Topanga from natural causes. She had recently celebrated her 90th birthday.
Born on August 29, 1927, to George and Lily Bertsch, she was the eldest of three children. Married and divorced, she was a single, working mother who raised her children on her own and somehow always managed to keep her sense of humor. Her family would tell you they were blessed to have had such a loving mother raise them.
Maggie was a graphic designer working in New York City for decades before moving to Topanga to spend more time with her children and grandchildren. A lover of art and music, Maggie appreciated the beauty found in great works of art from Mary Cassatt to Pablo Picasso and the mastery found in great works of music from Tchaikosky’s “The Love of Three Oranges,” to Jimi Hendrix’s “All Along The Watchtower.”
A beloved mother, Maggie is survived by three children: John Hill of New Orleans; McKay Whiting and husband Tom of Santa Rosa; and Holly Beverly-Smathers and husband Bob of Topanga. She was a loving and adored grandmother of her two grandchildren: James and Alden. She is also survived by her sister Cara and husband Graham Stoner of Houston.
We would like to thank caregivers Hermie, Normie and Mohna who took such wonderful care of Maggie over the past few years. And a special thanks to her geriatrician, Dr. Paul Diehl, for always being there for us. His kindness and care has been so very appreciated.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maggie’s name to the Church and Friary of Saint Francis of Assisi in New York City at http://www.stfrancisnyc.org/products-page/.
A service in memory of Maggie was celebrated on Wednesday, November 29, at Griffin Family Funeral Chapels in Camarillo and a reception immediately after in the chapel hall.