Margaret Margie Mary Peter Pannell

Margaret Mary Pannell, born Peter, died peacefully, surrounded by family, Saturday, April 14, 2012, after suffering a stroke. Margaret Mary was the last survivor of six children born to Walter C. Peter and Clara V. Arrington. She was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, on October 19, 1923, where she lived until she married. She had four older brothers and a younger sister. She graduated from the Academy of the Holy Names High School at the same time as her younger sister, Virginia, having missed a year of school when she suffered a near-fatal bout with osteomyelitis and septicemia in 1935 at age 11. Her unexpected recovery, due to an experimental serum flown in from New York, was documented in the papers. Though it was predicted she would never walk again, with fierce determination and family support, she not only walked, although with a notable limp, but went on to lead an active and fulfilling life. Few thought of her as handicapped. While visiting her sister in Los Angeles with her parents in 1950, she met her sister’s Bendix coworker, Robert L. Pannell, and fell immediately in love. They were quickly engaged and carried on a brief courtship through correspondence from different coasts, and were married in Silver Spring on October 23, 1950. Moving to the San Fernando Valley, their firstborn son, Stephen, was born in August 1951. Children Andrew, Donald, and Margaret followed. Her husband, Robert, an engineer involved in aerospace, including Project Mercury, continued to work for Bendix until his death in 1984. The family moved to Encino in 1955, where all three sons and daughter attended Our Lady of Grace School. The boys later all graduated from Crespi High School, and the daughter graduated from Louisville High School. After a brief move to Reseda, Margaret and family moved to West Hills in 1975. She has been active in Our Lady of the Valley Parish and has enjoyed many far-flung excursions with her church groups in the years of her widowhood. She was famous for her flair for sewing and embroidering outfits that drew constant compliments, an incomparable pecan pie, and always had a ready smile and infectious laughter. She maintained a love of Maryland and enjoyed keeping in touch with her siblings and her many nieces and nephews. Her son Stephen died in 1994. She is survived by two loving sons and a daughter and five grandchildren. Visitation is from 4:00 to 6:30 with Rosary following on Wednesday, April 18th at Gates, Kingsley, Gates Mortuary in Canoga Park. Funeral is at 11:00 Thursday, April 19th, at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Canoga Park. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Our Lady of the Valley Church or the American Heart Association.