Marguerite (Maggie) Sammons passed away on March 20 at the age of 80. One of four children, she was born in Steubenville, Ohio, on August 4, 1925, to Lewis and Marguerite Helms. When she was 7, she moved with her family to Pacific Palisades, where she continued to live for 48 years before moving to Westlake Village. As a child, Maggie would go with her friends to Will Rogers’ house. Will caught them once “liberating” fruit from his orchards and told them they could come any time and pick as much as they wanted. Some of the neighborhood kids would collect the broken polo mallets and balls and play their version of polo on their bicycles. Maggie met Fred Sammons when he dropped by one day to visit some buddies who were helping her brother, George, work on a Model T. On August 17, 1943 the couple were married and lived, along with other friends, in the Presbyterian Conference Grounds. After Fred served in the Army, their first son Frederick C. Sammons, III., was born She had four more children: Jeffrey, Gail, Sally and Michael. Later in life she became the proud grandmother of Dillan, Harrison, Megan, Marie and Ryan. The family spent many weekends at the beach with all their friends. There were also ski trips, camping trips up and down the California coast, and to Ensenada. Her interest in California history took her to many of the Missions. Her passions in life, besides her family, were birding and quilting. Maggie and Fred spent a great deal of time in their pursuit to fill their Life Bird List, traveling extensively in the United States, Australia, Belize, Hawaii, Alaska and Europe looking for different bird species. They were Audubon members for 20 years and active in other birding clubs. Maggie also enjoyed the splendor of a good spring bloom of the wildflowers in the desert. When they weren’t birding, she was quilting. Untold hours were spent in the quest for the perfect fabric for her latest design. Fred would patiently measure and cut the fabric and then she would sew it together. She lovingly created an uncountable number of quilts, wall hangings, table runners and vests for her children and grandchildren. She also liked to knit and was known to knit sweaters and hats. She will be loved and missed always by those who knew her. She is survived by her husband Fred of Westlake Village, and her children: Jeffrey Sammons of Westlake; Gail Sammons (husband Tom Violand) of Moorpark and daughter Megan; Sally Eggly (husband Alan) of Romeo, Michigan and children Marie and Ryan; and Michael (Sue) of Santa Monica and children Dillan and Harrison. She was predeceased by her eldest son, Fred. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a favorite charity or environmental or nature conservancy. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 2 at Reardon Funeral Home in Simi Valley.
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