Margaret Donlon; Pioneer Family Member

Margaret Patricia Donlon, a member of a Ventura County pioneer family, died March 16 at a home care center in Camarillo. She was 91.

Born Aug. 26, 1908, in El Rio, she was the youngest of 12 children born to early Ventura County residents John Donlon and Mary Caroline Forrer. Her father moved to Alameda County in 1870 from Ireland and settled in Ventura County in 1875. Her mother moved to the area from Utah in 1884. The couple married in 1886.

Donlon attended El Rio Elementary School and graduated from Oxnard High School in 1928.

She worked for the Naval Construction Battalion in Port Hueneme and then as a clerk at the former Camarillo State Hospital.

She was a member of the Ventura County Museum of History and Art, the Native Daughters of the Golden West--Poinsettia Parlor 318 and the California State Employees Assn. She was also an avid doll maker and bridge player and enjoyed spending time with her Chihuahua, Bambi.

Donlon is survived by nieces Lucretia Menzies of Hayward, Jerri D’Anjou of Foster City, Alma Hall of Lake Quivira, Kan., Patricia Flynn of Turlock, Margaret Murr of San Mateo, Eleanor Bays of Westley, Marian Sloniker of Ventura, Mickey Westbrook, M.K. Ginty Sargent and Mary Ann Clemons, all of of Oxnard; nephews T.R. Muldoon and Michael J. Donlon, both of Oxnard, and Robert L. Donlon of San Miguel; many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Mass is scheduled at 10 a.m. today at the Santa Clara Catholic Chapel in Oxnard with Msgr. Charles O’Gorman officiating. Burial will follow at Santa Clara Catholic Cemetery, also in Oxnard.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ventura County Museum of History and Art’s Farm Implement Building Fund, 100 E. Main St., Ventura, CA 93001, or the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are under the direction of the James A. Reardon Mortuary in Oxnard.