Margaret Elizabeth Haaker McIntosh

On May 2, we lost one of the kindest, most loving and sincere people to have been in our lives.

Margaret Elizabeth Haaker McIntosh was born on November 6, 1947, in Berlin, Germany, to parents Edwin Loudon Haaker and Julia Griswold Knapp Haaker, Americans whose careers with NBC and the Office of Strategic Services, respectively, took them overseas for the war. Margaret’s early years were spent in Berlin and Frankfurt until the U.S.’ post-war involvement waned and NBC called her father to its Hollywood office in 1952. Pacific Palisades soon became home for Margaret and her family, where they formed dear and lifelong friendships with their Albright Street neighbors.

Margaret valued love, her family and morality. She focused on the good in people and the positive in a situation, refraining from speaking poorly of others or engaging in the vapidity of gossip. Margaret deeply appreciated the values instilled in her by her parents: her mother’s intellectual curiosity and thirst for knowledge, and her impassioned father’s lessons about integrity and respect for all, regardless of race, gender, religion, ability or sexual orientation.

Margaret lived a life of service to others, deeply dedicated to her family. She took joy in thoughtfully making occasions—whether momentous or quotidian—warm and special, usually adding a personalized touch or flare of whimsy. One of Margaret’s favorite such occasions was her beloved Patriotic Pups of Pacific Palisades 4th of July Parade event, which she launched in 1995 to celebrate the simple joy of dogs and share some lighthearted, tail-wagging fun with her community.

Margaret enjoyed working with tools and tackling household projects as much as she appreciated dining at her finely set table. She enjoyed reading about our nation’s origin and its attempt to create an equitable system of government for all. She felt passionately about civil rights and cherished her time spent volunteering with the Democratic Party. Ever willing to grow, Margaret even eventually abandoned her loyalty to UCLA, becoming a Trojan football season ticket holder when her daughter began attending USC.

Margaret loved the Palisades, travel, dogs, and a good gin and tonic.

Margaret’s love and warmth will live on in her daughter, Grey Elizabeth McIntosh; siblings Peter Loudon Haaker, Marilyn Whitney Haaker, and Julie Loudon Haaker Teufel; and her nieces, nephews, in-laws, and dogs.

A celebration of Margaret will be held on November 6—her 75th birthday—at 1 p.m. at Temescal Gateway Park’s Sycamore Grove in Pacific Palisades. All are welcome; dogs are strongly encouraged. In lieu of flowers, Margaret’s family requests that donations please be made to an animal shelter.

We love you, Margaret.