Margaret Tranchina

Obituary of Margaret Kay Tranchina

Margaret Kay Lynch Butler Tranchina Our dear Maggie gracefully took her last breath on 16 September 2010. Survived by her beloved husband Joe Tranchina, daughters Katherine Claire Butler Prokop of Santa Cruz, Cynthia Kay Butler of Santa Cruz, granddaughter Rhiannon Alexis Butler Prokop of San Francisco, sister Janice Clydette (Lynch) White of Indiana, brother Charles Gale Lynch of South Carolina, stepdaughter Julia Tranchina of San Jose, and dozens of nieces, nephews and cousins in her large extended family. Preceded in death by her son William Charles "Bill" Butler, sister Sandra Gay Lynch, and parents Charles Clyde Lynch and Opal Lee (Brooks) Lynch. On a joyful April 5th, Margaret Kay was born in New Tazewell, TN and moved to Lafayette, IN as a young child. She graduated from "Jeff" High School and attended Purdue University, where she met her first husband. They lived in upstate New York until 1965, when the young family moved to San Jose, California. "Kay" was very active in her children's schools and at the First United Methodist Church of Campbell. She completed the paralegal program at Santa Clara University. In 1985, while living in Santa Cruz, she met her husband Joe. They spent many wonderful years traveling extensively throughout the US and to the four corners of the Earth. Her career included teaching reading at Markham Jr.High, then as a paralegal for Gibson Dunn and Seagate Technology. In her retirement she worked briefly at UCSC. For many years she truly enjoyed volunteering with Woman CARE (Cancer Advocacy Resources Education) of Santa Cruz County. "Mighty Monday Maggie" touched the hearts of many while volunteering at WomenCARE, and she is greatly missed. Margaret Kay was a woman of intelligence, courage and fashion. An amazing cook, she loved trying new recipes discovered in magazines and on television. Maggie and Joe hosted many festivities in their home. She loved having flowers around her, and delighted in Joe's garden. Maggie played bridge with many groups throughout her adult life. She played a friendly game of poker, savored the perfect gin martini, and competed fiercely with her personalized dice cup. A Celebration of Maggie's Life will be held at 1pm on Saturday, the 2nd of October at the Tranchina residence. In lieu of flowers your donation to WomenCARE in Maggie's name is greatly appreciated. (WomenCARE: 2901 Park Avenue, Suite A1, Soquel, CA, 95073, 831-457-2273 www.womencaresantacruz.org) Maggie will always be remembered with her twinkling eyes, her irish laugh, for the genuine interest she expressed to everyone she met, and for the deep unconditional love she gave to her family.
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A Memorial Tree was planted for Margaret
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel
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