Margaret Ann Cruickshank

September 1, 2019 Margaret Ann Cruickshank It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our much beloved Margaret Ann Cruickshank of North Tustin. Mom passed away from pancreatic cancer on Friday, August 23, 2019 at 3:20 PM, surrounded by her loving family at home. Our mother Fought the Good Fight for over 29 months, with much pain and suffering, while offering it all up to Jesus. Special thanks to her physicians, nurses and caretakers, especially Dr. Susan Ban, Dr. Melvyn Sterling, St. Joseph’s Hospice, Darnetta, Cyndi, Lucy, Connie, Rosita, Emmanuel, Saxon, Andrea, Peggy, Lisa, and Maria. Please forgive us if we mistakenly left anyone out. Margaret Ann Cruickshank was born September 18, 1929 in South Gate, CA. She was the first of three daughters born to John Kenny, a machinist at Axelson’s, and Cecilia Kenny, a homemaker. Her parents emigrated from Williamstown, near Galway, Ireland. Sisters Marie and Erin were born in 1931 and 1938. Growing up in South Gate, Mom rode the Red Line streetcar all over the Southland to explore and enjoy all that Southern California had to offer. Margaret loved riding the streetcar to downtown Los Angeles with her father one Saturday each month to pay the mortgage and enjoy lunch. At age 14 Mom was hired as a candy striper at St. Francis Hospital to earn spending money; she loved the independence this allowed her. Margaret graduated from St. Mary’s Academy (high school) and attended Mount St. Mary’s College in Brentwood. A special memory as a young woman was attending a performance of Madame Butterfly, which instantly became her favorite opera; she often talked about its beautiful costumes and music. After her studies, Mom took a job with Ducommun, a metal working company in LA. During a Ducommun holiday production, Mom walked across a stage and, unbeknownst to her, a young man in the audience named Richard Cruickshank asked a colleague, “Say, who is that young woman walking across the stage?” Dad’s associate answered, “Dick, that young woman is Margaret Kenny and she’s a nice girl.” Dad replied, “Yes, Stan, and I’m a nice guy.” The rest is history: They were married June 23, 1951 at St. Helen’s Catholic Church. Their first home was in Downey, and Mom thought she would remain there the rest of her life – and have two children. Jesus had other plans. Dad had grown restless after serving as a WWII B-24 bomber pilot in the South Pacific; he informed Mom that TWA was hiring, and he applied. The airline said, “Dick, can you be in Kansas City in two weeks?” Thus Mom and Dad embarked on a life-long adventure. Over the next 12 ½ years, Margaret gave birth to 10 children. They moved to larger and larger homes, from Downey, to Garden Grove, North Tustin, Stamford, CT, and then back to North Tustin, where they settled for the next 12 years. Country Ln is where so many of the family’s memories reside; it was a wonderful place to grow up. There were once 62 kids on the street, from newborns to 18 years of age. Many of Mom’s most cherished moments were cooking for 12 and constantly inviting neighborhood kids to dinner. This included the Lindleys, Sommervilles, Lathrums, Freys, Speichers, Johnsons, Dales and others. Swim parties, pool parties, huge 4th of July celebrations and more. Traveling with Mom and Dad was always an adventure and it planted the seed of world travel in many of their children. Vacation destinations included Europe primarily, but also Hawaii, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Israel and the Holy Land. Mom and Dad’s loving marriage lasted over 60 years. Our mother was always very positive and joyous, and constantly tried to look at the bright side of life, no matter the challenges placed before her. She was also an immensely practical woman. Margaret was a devout Catholic; she had endless faith and trusted in Jesus and our Blessed Mother Mary. The Rosary was paramount in her life. She was also a great fan of Mother Angelica and EWTN and supported many pro-life organizations. Mom loved to garden, especially the last few years in North Tustin. Dad often told us we were so fortunate to have a mother who was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. Margaret was predeceased by her beloved husband Richard, beloved son John, beloved granddaughter Sarah, parents and sisters, and is survived by her nine remaining children: Celia(John), Rich(Vicki), Beth(Preston), Bob(Shaun), Ken(Karen), Fran(Wayne), Peggy(late Roy), Jim, and Cathy(John). Grandchildren include Dan, Robert, Kristen, Kelly, Rick, Durban, Brimman, Ken, Brittany, Meghan, Chad, Heather, Caitlin, John, Madison, Bre, Brett, Harrison, Peter, Margaret, Kurt, Hadley and Noelle. Great Grandchildren include Grace, Kaylin, Nick, Reagan, Ian, Maggie and Vivien. Rosary September 20th, 2019 at 7 PM, with viewing from 5-9 PM, both at Saddleback Chapel, Tustin, CA. Rite of Christian burial Mass will be Saturday, September 21st, 2019 at 10 AM at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, Tustin, CA. Burial at Holy Sepulcher, Orange. Reception follows at The Cruickshank’s, North Tustin, valet parking. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation.

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