Margaret Heinz Obituary

Margaret Heinz
08/17/1932 - 01/11/2025
After 92 years of a rich and well-lived life, Margaret Ellen Heinz passed away peacefully on January 11, 2025. She was surrounded by her loved ones.
Margaret was born to Esther Aguilar (Avalos) and Esteban Aguilar on August 17, 1932, in Madera, California. Her family eventually settled in Livingston, where Margaret attended Livingston High School (class of 1950). She worked and attended Modesto Junior College, then followed her older cousins, Robert and Jess Aguilar, to the University of California at Berkeley, where she was later joined by sisters Linda, Esther, Terry, and cousin Ed. She made lifelong friends through the Catholic Alumni Club. As the oldest child of hard-working immigrants, she set the example as a trailblazer for her siblings (Linda, Esther, Steve, Terry and Dan). Margie began her teaching career in Atwater.
Margie married Leonard ("Len") John Heinz on August 15, 1964. They settled in San Francisco, and had their first child, Lenny, November 25, 1965. Margie stepped away from teaching to devote her time to raising her children after their second child, daughter Laurie, was born. She was heavily involved in volunteer activities, including serving as President of PTA at Epiphany School, Girl Scout Troop Leader, and contributing to the annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon through her outstanding baking skills. She returned to the classroom when her youngest daughter, Rose-Ellen, was in middle school. She remained actively engaged in parent groups and activities at School of the Epiphany, Presentation High School, and Riordan High School, where Len taught, coached, and served as Dean. Margie was tireless. She sewed clothes for fashion shows, was a girl scout cookie mom, helped organize countless parish dinners. She and Len loved hosting family and friends for holidays, parties, family reunions, and really any reason to get together.
After they retired, Margie and Len moved to their beautiful haven in Pollock Pines, where Margie continued to serve as a substitute teacher in surrounding schools. She enjoyed gardening and taking care of her little apple orchard and volunteering for Snowline Hospice. They loved visits from the kids and grandkids during which time she would share her most recent endeavors. Nothing brought Margie more joy than being in the presence of her grandchildren. Margie and Len were fortunate to be able to travel extensively with each other and with dear friends. They enjoyed visiting Laurie and Phil in Asia during the ten years they were there, with visits to China, Thailand and Australia among other countries.
Margie was a patient and devoted caregiver throughout Len's long struggle with dementia, initially attending support groups together, then continuing to visit him on a daily basis when he moved to a care home.
Margaret is survived by her children, Leonard Alan Heinz (Julie), Laureen Marie Hidalgo (Philip decd.), and Rose-Ellen Heinz Fairgrieve, grandchildren Ryan (Kaitlyn), Nicole, Rocky, Buzz, Daniel, Amy, and William, siblings Linda Aguilar, Teresa Wiedwald (Jay), Daniel Aguilar, sister-in-law Sharon (Steven decd.). Margaret was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Leonard, parents Esteban and Esther, sister Esther, brother Steven, and son-in-law Philip.
Margaret and her family were blessed that in her final years of her life she was supported by long-time friends Carol Ann, Elizabeth and caregivers Crissy and Mike.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Alzheimer's Association or Snowline Hospice. Memorial arrangements are pending.