Margaret Bradshaw Armstrong

Margaret (Maggie) Armstrong passed away unexpectedly on June 5, 2013 at the age of 82. She was born Margaret Theresa Bradshaw to Fred and Bea Bradshaw on October 20, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois. Maggie was educated in local Chicago catholic schools, graduating from St. Louis Academy in 1948. She held several jobs in her early twenties, including working at the Chicago Art Institute and the University of Chicago. She married Richard Armstrong, an accountant and World War II veteran, on July 14, 1956, and they quickly moved to a small house in Lake Zurich, Illinois. They both relocated to Fullerton, California in 1966 when Richards firm, Unocal, transferred him to their downtown Los Angeles office. Both were devout Catholics and active members of St. Julianas Parish in Fullerton, including the Dine-Out Group and the bowling league. Maggie attended Fullerton Community College to qualify her for work as a medical transcriptionist. She then joined St. Jude Medical Centers medical records unit, where she worked for twenty years. She continued to work after her beloved husband Richard passed away in 1989, but time and technology eventually convinced her to retire in 1995. She kept busy in retirement, traveling to Europe several times, teaching herself how to use a computer, and becoming a proficient and artistic quilter. Maggie kept up with current events, and was widely read, favoring historical biographies. A lifelong devout Catholic, she volunteered with many parish ministries, including Respect Life, Small Christian Communities, St. Juliana Prayer Chain and F.I.S.H. Maggie believed no one was ever too old to keep learning new things and making themselves useful, valuing education at any age as a way to improve your lot in life. She always had time to visit the sick, drive a friend to a quilting class or share a kind word. Maggie leaves behind a legacy of personal kindness and cheerful volunteerism, as well as six children (Maureen Muncy, Delia Hilliard, Mark Armstrong, Roseanne Allen, Noelle Martinson and Martin Armstrong) and twelve grandchildren. She also leaves behind two sisters, Nancy Bradshaw and Bea Joslyn, and a wealth of dear friends. Viewing will be 5:30 PM with a rosary at 6 PM Monday, June 10 both at McAulay & Wallace Mortuary, Fullerton. Funeral Mass will be 10 AM Tues. June 11 at St. Julianas Falconeri Church. Burial following at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery.