Obituary of Margaret Azzopardi

Margaret Rose Azzopardi, 86, of Salinas, passed away on November 12, 2011 at home. Born in Coalport, Pennsylvania, Margaret Rose Azzopardi was the youngest of 10 siblings, all who preceded her in death. She was born of Slovakian parents, her father was a coal miner and her mother was a homemaker. She grew up in Nanty-Glo, Pennsylvania, where she attended school, then moved to New Jersey to live with her elder sister, and worked as a seamstress in a clothing factory. It was while she was living in New Jersey, she met Andrew Azzopardi, who courted her while serving in the armed forces overseas during World War II. They married in Nanty-Glo following the war in 1945, then moved to Salinas, California, where she and her husband, Andrew, raised five children. She is survived by her children; Stephen Azzopardi of Salinas, Rose Ann Dobbs of Tyler, TX, Donna Sue Langston of Waco, TX, Michael (Karyn) Azzopardi of Salinas, and Thomas (Marcela) Azzopardi of Salinas. She also is survived by 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Margaret was a founding member of St. Mary of the Nativity Church in Salinas and served as a member of the Altar Society and the St. Mary's School Parent's Club. She was also a member of the Alisal P.T.A. and had served on the Election Board for Monterey County. She sang as a choir member for various choirs of Salinas and Castroville, including the Papal Choir during the visit of Pope John-Paul II. She also was a member of the Women's Moose Lodge and the Friendship Club at the First Presbyterian Church of Salinas, where she enjoyed taking various trips aboard ships. She loved to crochet and was an avid ballroom dancer. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 23, 2011at 10am at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, 11140 Preston St., Castroville, CA 95012. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all donations be sent to the American Cancer Society 945 S. Main St. Suite 201 Salinas, CA 93901.