Margaret Joan Cantarini

Margie was born in Loma Linda, California on April 21, 1933 to Bert and Bernice England. She grew up in Riverside attending both Riverside City College and the University of California, Riverside, (UCR) where she was Student Body Secretary of both colleges and a charter member at UCR. Margie went on to University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education. Her first teaching position in 1956 was at University Heights Jr. High School in Riverside where she taught art and English. She then went onto complete courses at SDSU for an Elementary Teaching Credential and began teaching 5th grade at Carlton Hills Elementary School in Santee.


Margie loved both art and teaching. When teaching non-English speaking second graders, Margie used her artistic talents making numerous visuals to aid them in understanding English. She once painted a mural for a school for the deaf in Riverside and even designed a future campsite for a Boy Scout Executive.

Margie married Armand Cantarini February 18, 1956, just a month after graduating from UCSB.
After a short stint in teaching, Margie devoted herself to her family. Margie and Armand had two wonderful children, Alan Cantarini and Karen Zachariah, as well as four, much-loved grandchildren, Kristin, Laura, Sean and Alexa and two great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Rory. Margie loved her family and gave tirelessly to their well-being and education. She enjoyed her grandchildren and participated in their interests and school activities as well.

Margie generously gave to the San Diego Junior Theatre for 9 years making posters, costumes and working on the theatre’s magazine, “Rippledink. She also made posters for her church, her husband’s employer, and for PTA events earning the Founder’s Day Honorary Service Award PTA Pin for her years of service, including treasurer, Halloween Carnival and teaching a children’s after-school drama class that performed at PTA functions.

Margie loved painting in watercolors and doing pen & ink sketches of popular San Diego locations and was a member of the San Diego Art Museum and San Diego Zoo. She belonged to the San Diego Watercolor Society for over 25 years and especially enjoyed their monthly demonstrations, art groups and painting classes. Margie even belonged to the San Diego Art Institute where she exhibited her art work. She went back to teaching in 1982 and continued to teach until her retirement in 1988.

Margie and her husband Armand enjoyed traveling both to foreign countries and to places close by, especially the Morro Bay area; they were married 64 years. Both Margie and Armand endured many health issues, patiently caring for one another. Due to poor health, she was unable to participate in many of her interests, so she turned her attention to feeding the many stray animals who appeared at her door. Margie adopted two cats, raccoons, birds, squirrels, and a special little poodle with whom Margie was able to place in a permanent, loving home.

Margie liked everyone she met and considered them all her friends.