Fountain Valley woman killed by passing car on Christmas Eve

Angelique Flores

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- Margaret Truesdell dedicated the first part of her

life to the sick and the last of it to her church -- and that was where

her life ended Christmas Eve.

Truesdell, 78, was fatally struck by a car while crossing Ward Street

after attending a 4 p.m. Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Friday.

“It was the children’s Mass, and she wanted to be there with her class,”

said her son-in-law Sig Paczkowski.

Resident Ngochuong Ngyen, 50, was heading north on Ward Street between

Warner and Slater avenues. She was driving under the speed limit of 40

mph, police said. Truesdell, who was wearing dark clothing, did not see

Ngyen’s 1994 Mercedes coming when she crossed the street to get to her

parked car.

Witnesses to the accident gave cardiopulmonary resuscitation to Truesdell

before authorities arrived. She was later taken to Fountain Valley

Regional Hospital and Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead from

head injuries at about 6 p.m.

Although Truesdell’s family is grieving, they said they don’t hold Ngyen

responsible.

“We want people to say prayers for the driver, too,” Paczkowski said.

“Marge is in heaven, but the driver will have to live with this even

though it wasn’t her fault.

Truesdell was an active member at her church, where she was a Eucharistic

minister, a religious education teacher and part of the Jubilee 2000

Planning Committee, the Welcome Home Committee and the Stephen Ministry.

“Everyone expected the church to give her a back room there,” said Mary

Ann Paczkowski, Truesdell’s granddaughter.

Truesdell was a retired nurse who served during World War II as a nurse

for the Army in Africa and Italy.

“She was a nurse who was devoted to the sick, and after she retired she

was devoted to the church,” her son-in-law said.

Truesdell’s family said she led a full, active life.

Truesdell is survived by daughter Peg Paczkowski, 48; and grandchildren

Mary Ann, 20, and Joe, 14.

The family is asking that no flowers be sent.

“She felt that flowers were a waste of money and would rather see the

money do some good,” Sig Paczkowski said.

Instead, the family asks that donations be made to the Youth Ministry at

Holy Spirit Church or at any other church.

Funeral services were scheduled for this morning at Holy Spirit Church.