Margaret Helen Vincent

Margaret Helen Vincent (née Anderson), known to many as “Marge,” was born in Portland in 1939 to Elmer Julius (“Al”) and Irene LaVerne Anderson. Except for a brief childhood sojourn in Seattle, she was raised in Portland, Oregon. Armed with her college degree in 1961, Marge decamped for the sunnier climes of California as she was “tired of all the rain!”

A member of the honor society in high school, Marge received a scholarship to attend the University of Portland, where she majored in math. In 1957, the university had only recently started allowing women to attend. Marge as a math major was one of the few women there taking that path at the time.

When she moved to California, she took a teaching job and settled in Sacramento. She met and married David R. Vincent in 1962. Marge taught math until she gave birth to her eldest daughter, Sandra Lee in 1965. In 1968, her second daughter Cheryl Anne arrived as well. Divorcing in 1973, Marge moved with Sandra and Cheryl to Foster City and ultimately to Sunnyvale, California.

Until she rejoined the professional world, Marge tackled with gusto a plethora of crafty endeavors. Already an excellent seamstress — as her daughters’ many childhood photos in matching outfits are testament to — she tried her hand at candle making, needlepoint, macrame, and painting furniture. Marge’s truest creative expression was through gardening, the lush flowering landscapes around her townhome are a gift from her that will provide fragrant reminders for years to come.

In 1974, she restarted her employment path, joining Argo Systems in 1978. Through self-driven learning in programming, QA, instruction manual writing, and various other facets of the computer industry, she quickly moved from administrative professional to a member of the technical staff. For the next three decades, she dedicated herself to the field.

Marge wore multiple hats, including serving on the HOA board at her townhome complex starting in 1985 and assuming the role of president in 2011. She also found purpose in aiding the unhoused community, devoting time to volunteering at shelters and food banks. Marge proved expert at acquiring needed clothing for the clients at the shelters, donating thousands of items over the years.

Community was essential to Marge, whether it be through her friends or her extended family. She is survived by her daughters: Sandra Vincent and Cheryl Garcia, grandchildren; Gabrielle Lincoln, Tatyana Garcia, Azizi Garcia and Dolores Maria Garcia. Her great-grandchild, Alena Lincoln, who she had a special bond with and reveled in the joy from Alena’s daily visits over the past year. And her grandson-in-law Kevin Lincoln and Rico Walker, longtime partner to her daughter Sandra. Beyond her love for her family and friends, she loved animals, and throughout her life, she was surrounded by a parade of feline and canine friends as well as a bevy of bird and squirrel buddies.

Funeral services will be held December 4th at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 325 Willow St, San Jose, CA 95110, with a celebration of life to follow immediately after the burial at Oak Hill Cemetery. Please reach out to Cheryl for details about the celebration of life.

Those who would like to honor Marge’s memory and celebrate her commitment to serving those in need, may make a donation to a homeless charity of your choice or perform a random act of kindness.