Margaret "Maggie" Stoltz

Margaret (Maggie) Law Stoltz passed away on November 25, 2020 at Madrone Hospice in Yreka. Maggie was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 25, 1934 to Andrew & May Thomson, immigrants from Scotland. Their love of Scotland was passed on to her. She loved highland dancing and won many awards at Scottish dance competitions. Two months after graduating from South Shore High, Maggie married her high school sweetheart, Jim. The planning of their wedding and the ceremony occurred within a five-day period, but their marriage lasted almost 60 years! Together, the loving couple had four children; Karen, Jennifer, Jimmy, and Brad. From 1957-1962, Maggie & Jim were house parents at the Lake Bluff Children's Home. Maggie often said that her years there, caring for 'her' children, were some of the happiest years in her life. After moving to Mundelein, Illinois in 1963, she served as a board member at Mundelein High School & as an elder with Kirk of the Lakes Presbyterian Church. She was an active Jaycee Bee and made life-long friendships with the women & couples she met through this organization. Maggie was a stay-at-home mom to her growing family and set the standard for how to raise a family. She took her kids to music & dance lessons, to the beach just about every summer day, and to every other activity they were involved in. Once her youngest started school, she went to work for Sears. After moving to California in 1979, she worked in a bridal salon & loved helping women feel beautiful. Because she loved taking care of children, she later opened a day care business. When her daughter Jennifer became a mom, Maggie cared for her grandchildren full-time. Maggie was the most loving, supportive mother & grandmother. While she loved her children, the special bond that she had with her grandchildren Sarah, Becca, Jacob, and her great grandson Bodie, was truly wonderful to witness. She could be found watching every sporting event that her grandkids were involved in, from soccer, softball, baseball, & basketball, to many hours cheering on the pool deck! Maggie was a sweet, kind woman. Her home was always open to friends. Some of them came & stayed awhile (weeks or months); some just dropped in for morning coffee & girl chat; many were included in holiday parties and dinners she hosted. The New Year's Eve parties she & Jim threw in their Illinois home every year are still remembered by those who were there... often up to 100 people would join the celebration. Everyone who knew Maggie liked her. And, everyone who knew her came to love the Scottish Shortbread cookies she made as gifts every year. She is survived by her children, Karen & Larry Guevara of Oxnard CA, Jennifer Gross of Yreka, Jimmy Stoltz of Yreka, Brad & Krista Stoltz of Yreka; her grandchildren, Sarah & Clint Knoles, Rebecca & Josh Carpenter, Jacob Gross; Cassie & Eben Crawford; and great grandchildren Bodie & Peyton Knoles; Nick Kantor; sisters Jean Burnett of Covina CA, Mary & Jerry Pearl of Yreka. She was predeceased by her husband Jim and both parents. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Maggie's memory to Madrone Hospice, 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, CA 96097.

Margaret "Maggie" Stoltz

February 25, 1934 - November 25, 2020