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Margaret McKENZIE

August 1, 2009

McKENZIE, Margaret

Educator, Philanthropist and loving aunt

died in Beverly Hills, California, age 91

Born in Great Falls, Montana, Miss McKenzie moved to Beverly Hills with her family in 1925, into the home in which she lived until her death. She graduated from Scripps College in 1940, where she later served on the Board of Directors, She earned her masters degree in German Language at Harvard University and her PhD from the University of Chicago, She served as Chairman of the German Department at Vassar College, President of the American Association of German Teachers and was a board member of the American Foreign Language Council.

In 1930, her father, J. Wallace McKenzie, purchased the property for Seaforth Lodge, their summer home in Qualicum Beach. Until her frail condition made travel too difficult in 2008, Miss McKenzie never missed a summer at Seaforth Lodge. The days spent there swimming and walking the beach and trails were among the happiest of her life.

She is survived by her sister Mrs. Donald W. Petit, in La Canada, California; her nieces and nephews Sharon Sabin in Newberg, Oregon; Margy Donnelly in Durango, Colorado; Liz O’Brien in West Linn, Oregon; Ken Donnelly in Santa Barbara, California; Tuck Donnelly in Bainbridge Island, Washington. Also Heinrich and Cornelia Fitger of Germany and Maria Fitger Cash of Australia.

Aunt Margaret was a kind-hearted friend, a generous supporter of many charities and a loving and devoted woman to all her extended family. Her passing is a tremendous loss and she will be greatly missed.

Donations may be gratefully sent to

Children’s Hospital in

memory of

Margaret McKenzie.



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