January 23, 1940 – December 7, 2022
Margaret (Margo) Leimbach was born on January 23, 1940, in Boston, to Amadeo and Helen (Eleanor) Saggese. The family moved to San Diego in 1942.
While attending Lincoln High School, Margo met the man who became the love of her life, Theodore (Ted) Leimbach. They were married for 67 years, and together had five children, Debbie (David Ciccati), Ted Jr. (Lily), Kim (Jim Lasley), Dawn, and Mark (Ursula).
A devoted mom, Margo was a dedicated fixture at her childrens’ boy scouts and girls scouts groups, the church youth group, and was active on the board of the local little league. She and Ted remained close-knit with families they met and became friends with during this time, often having street parties and other gatherings together.
Margo and Ted loved to travel and spent many vacations with extended family throughout the country, often traveling in a restored Granny Goose potato chip truck outfitted to serve as a family camper. As a couple, they spent many long weekends on Catalina Island and for a long time, held season tickets for the San Diego Padres, always sporting team colors and jerseys of their favorite players.
One of Margo’s favorite places to spend time was the San Diego Zoo; she and Ted were longtime members of the San Diego Zoological Society. She had the opportunity to hold Albert, the Zoo’s most famous gorilla, when he was a baby, sparking a lifelong love of gorillas, monkeys, and other primates.
As the children grew older, Margo began working as an Admissions Officer for the Nursing program at San Diego City College, helping to start the medical careers of hundreds of young people and retiring after 15 years.
Margo was active in her Oak Park neighborhood, serving on and starting several community organizations and serving as the first president of the Oak Park Community Council. Margo’s political insights and passion for public service led her to positions as a community liaison and later field supervisor for several aspiring politicians as they began careers in local offices such as school board, city council, and county board of supervisors. Many credit her support with their successful ascent to higher state and federal offices.
Margo’s Italian influence and upbringing played a huge part in the Leimbach kitchen, where big family dinners usually meant huge dishes of meatballs and sausage to serve alongside thick lasagnas. Her generosity was not limited to family; she cared greatly for the local military and would regularly host servicemembers for holiday meals and treat them as she did her children.
Her kids and grandkids remember holidays fondly, as Margo would always have sweet treats to pass out – the Lifesaver Storybook was a Christmas favorite and remains so to this day.
In the years when the family outgrew celebrations in the backyard, the family often took over entire restaurants for celebratory birthday and anniversary dinners marked by love and laughter.
Margo was a strong, passionate, and proud woman who will always be remembered for her bright and generous smile, big hugs, and an even bigger laugh. We know she is happy to be reunited with her life partner and will continue to watch over and care for us.
Margo is survived by her daughters Debbie and Dawn, sons Ted and Mark, eleven grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted, and their daughter, Kim, both of whom passed away earlier this year.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance in memory of Margo Leimbach, online at sdzwa.org/memorial or mailed to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, P.O. Box 120551, San Diego, CA 92112.
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A funeral service for Margaret will be held Thursday, December 15, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum, 4470 Hilltop Dr, San Diego, CA 92102, followed by a cryptside service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.goodbodymortuary.com for the Leimbach family.
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