Margaret Thacher; Active With Thacher School

Margaret Pascoe Thacher, a longtime resident of Ojai and active with the private Thacher School named after her husband’s family, died Friday in Santa Barbara after a brief illness. She was 86.

Thacher moved to California with her family shortly after she was born on Oct. 18, 1909, in Fremont, Neb. She attended Bristol School, the forerunner of the Ojai Valley School, graduated from Castilleja School for Girls in Palo Alto and entered Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass., at age 16.

After graduating from Stanford University in 1930, she taught elementary school in California for several years until her marriage in 1933 to Anson S. Thacher.

While her husband served as headmaster and teacher at Thacher School, which was started by his father, Margaret Thacher ran the social scene at the independent secondary boarding school. Family members said she was known for her hospitality and wit. She organized school events and talent shows and served for many years as the school dietitian.

Thacher was an avid traveler, visiting many countries. In 1989, she and her husband were honored as grand marshals of Ojai’s Independence Day Parade.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years.

She is survived by her brother, John R. Pascoe of San Francisco; her daughter, Anne T. Adami of Walnut Creek; her sons, Anson B. Thacher of Ojai and Nicholas S. Thacher of New Canaan, Conn., and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Thacher School on Jan. 7. The burial will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Monica Ros School of Ojai, Ojai Valley School or a favorite charity.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home of Ojai.

Ventura County obituaries are published free of charge as a public service to readers. Obituaries are based on information provided by mortuaries.