Margaret Midori Schowengerdt-Witte-Faletoi - 1952 to 2010

Margaret Midori Schowengerdt-Witte-Faletoi passed away May 27, 2010, in Riverside at the age of 58, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Margaret was born in Sasebo, Japan, on May 2, 1952, and emigrated with her family to Missouri in October 1957. In 1961, the family headed to Southern California where Margaret spent the duration of her life as a loving wife to David A. Witte and Opetiah Tauanuu-Faletoi and mother to her children, Davina L. Witte-Croy, Jason W. Witte and Christian D. Witte.

Margaret loved all manner of creative pursuit, approaching even the simplest of chores with the zeal of the absolute perfectionist that she was. Whether a gourmet meal, a garden arrangement, or her unique fashion sense, nothing was ever left to chance but with each choice carefully made with forethought and deliberation. Although she never pursued dancing as a career, she inherited her mother’s professional dance skills and was always the best dancer on any floor. Margaret was a lifelong animal lover and also enjoyed competitive sports, playing as a member of several Orange County amateur volleyball leagues.

In the mid-70s, Margaret and her best friend, ValDonna Longbrake, accepted the Lord as their Personal Saviour. Her passing, surrounded by her parents, Richard and Emiko Schowengerdt, and ValDonna, all leading in prayer, was peaceful and beautiful.

In addition to the aforementioned, Margaret is also survived by her son-in-law, Denny Croy; daughter-in-law, Michelle Witte; five grandchildren; Jesse, Timothy, Tyler, Justin and Kyle (one grandson, Ryon Croy, preceded her in death in 1990); sister, Maria; and brother, Michael; many loving family, and family friends; one, in particular, Kevin Stuart, Christian’s best friend.

Margaret was an elegant, sweet and loving lady, and will truly be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched, how ever fleetingly.

Memorial services will be held in celebration of Margaret’s life at 2 p.m. June 26, 2010, at Harbor Christian Fellowship Church, 740 West Wilson St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627-5902. Call (949) 631-7730.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Margaret’s name be given to any charitable organizations of the donor’s own choosing, as this would’ve been her heart-felt wish.