Obituary of Margaret Anne Howe

Margaret Howe died peacefully at her home in Santa Cruz on July 23, 2014 due to complications of Alzheimer's disease. Margaret was born to John and Gerry Howe on April 11, 1957 in San Jose, and in 1972 she moved to Santa Cruz where she lived the rest of her life. She was a loving and lovable person who made friends easily and enjoyed spending time with members of her large extended family. She will be missed by many people. Margaret was fortunate to be affiliated with Hope Services for most of her life, beginning with pre-school and continuing through attendance at the Farm School in La Selva Beach, enrollment in special education classes at Cabrillo College, working at the Skills Center in Santa Cruz, and participating in the Senior Program in Aptos. Margaret also spent many happy summer weeks at Camp Harmon in Boulder Creek, thanks to the efforts and generosity of the Easter Seals Society. She was a long-time participant in the Special Olympics, where she won many local and state-wide swimming medals; and for many years she was a member of the Friendship Club bowling league and the Easter Seals' Wide Awakes program. Margaret is survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law; James and Beverly Howe of Paso Robles, Paul and Sheri Howe of Santa Cruz, Jack and Trudi Howe of Santa Cruz, and Michael Howe and Joan Howard of San Jose. She also leaves many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and her best friends of over thirty years, Laura Thayer and Darlene Oliver. Margaret's family would like to acknowledge and thank Helen Behar and Nora Sullivan of the San Andreas Regional Center for their extraordinary efforts on Margaret's behalf; Frankie Messerli and the staff at the Hope Services Senior Program for the care and support they provided; and Margaret's sister- in-law Sheri for her loving and energetic efforts as Margaret's primary caregiver and advocate for many years. The family would also like to thank the many caregivers from ComForcare and Visiting Angels who helped Margaret in her final years. She will be laid to rest in a private graveside ceremony on Tuesday, July, 29th in Santa Cruz. A Reception will be held in the Seascape Room at Chaminade Resort in Santa Cruz at 12:30 pm on Tuesday July 29th, 2014. In lieu of flowers, Margaret's family would appreciate contributions in her name to Hope Services at hopeservices.org/donate or to Easter Seals/Camp Harmon at easterseals.com/central.