Hogan, Margaret 'Marge' Spaight Hogan

Margaret “Marge” Spaight Hogan, 78, died Nov. 3, 2013, in Orange, Calif., as a courageous warrior against her greatest adversary, Alzheimer's disease.

She was born Aug. 14, 1935, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Margaret and Donald Spaight. In 1959, she married William Hogan; together they raised four children: Kelly, Tracy, Steve and Thad.

Marge was always a caregiver, whether working as a registered nurse, or devoting her free time to children with head injuries or helping rehabilitating veterans. Marge's thoughtfulness was especially evident during the holidays. “The more the merrier” was often heard at a table filled with family and old and new friends. She ensured there were always enough potatoes and dry turkey for a crowd.

As a young mom, Marge made sure her children tried new things as demonstrated in their lunchboxes filled with Braunschweiger, peanut butter and mayo sandwiches, or the always popular beef tongue. Marge loved Diet Coke, her Mustang convertible, bad reality TV, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, and short, crooked bangs on her little girls. Mostly, she loved family, including her husband, Bill Hogan; her sister, Pat and brother-in-law, Bob Kaliban; her four children; her son-in-law, Terry; and six grandchildren.

Paradise to Marge was a Hawaiian beach. So, her loved ones send her back to God's arms with wishes of eternal sunny days and warm breezes on a golden beach. Until we see her again, Love and Aloha.

The funeral will be held at Saddleback Chapel in Tustin, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Alzheimer's Association of Orange County.

Published Nov. 6, 2013 in The Gazette