Margaret Jane Stenger's Obituary
Margaret Jane (Jane) Stenger, age 99, died peacefully at her home in Woodside on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 with her family by her side.
Jane, the third of six children, was born on April 21, 1926, in Youngstown, Ohio to Ernest Gollan (1902-1992) and Margaret Cox-Gollan (1902-1937). When Jane was ten years old, her mother passed away leaving her father with five small children to raise (Rita, first born, died in infancy). Jane often lived with her mother’s parents while she was growing up.
After high school, she went to work for the A&P Grocery Store in Youngstown, where she met her future husband, Don. While dating, they became lifelong friends on A&P co-workers Ruth Slagle (and husband, Earl) and Nancy Hill (and husband, Harold).
Jane’s life adventures began when she and Don, due to his military deployment with the National Guard, moved to Leesville, LA. Living in the deep south in the early 1950s gave Jane a deep appreciation of the struggles for what would soon become the Civil Rights movement. They had their first baby while in Leesville. After deployment, Don and Jane returned to Youngstown and welcomed six more children.
In 1963 and with a job promotion for Don, the family moved to sunny California to the town of Gardena. Jane told her numerous friends and family members that they would return permanently to Youngstown within three years, but she gradually adjusted to the life and culture of living on the west coast. The family pulled up stakes again for yet another job promotion and moved to San Bruno, followed by another move in 1973 to Woodside, where the family worked together to build the home Don and Jane have lived in for the last 52 years. Keeping the Woodside house while renting it out and moving back to southern CA for Don’s job, they lived in Thousand Oaks for five years until Don’s retirement. Jane and Don made one final move to Woodside, this time permanently, in 1990.
Jane is survived by her loving husband of 75 years, Donald, children Jim (Arlene) of Sonora, Cathy (Jim) of Sacramento, Brian (Jeanie) of Tracy, Larry (Sara) of Sommerset, Ron of San Carlos and Bob (Sandy) of San Carlos. Grandchildren include Matthew (Crystal), Kaylie (Eric), Ashley (Dean), Tamara (Jessica), Julie (Tynan), Christopher, Lisa, Heather, Loren (Christine), Sean, Ben, Will and Nancy (Danilo). Great-grandchildren are Corban, Jonanthan, Peyton, Briella, Audrey, Paxton, Sadie, Brayden, Prairie, Jeffrey and Harper. Jane is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, most of whom reside in Ohio, but also included are Tom and Esther Stenger of Bakersfield.
Jane was preceded in death by her son, Dwain, her parents and siblings Rita, Doris, Ernie, Wesley and Norman. She is greatly missed by her Miniature Poodle and constant lap companion, Magic, who misses Jane’s petting very much.
Jane’s early life was not always easy, but her marriage, the family she created and the seven children she raised made her life an exceptionally good life. (An interesting footnote to Jane’s remarkable story is that she was born on the very same day as England’s Queen Elizabeth II.) Jane was an adventurous mother who was always on the go and was known to always be up to doing anything the kids (or she) dreamed up. Camping trips were a great way to keep six active boys and one busy girl entertained. Annual vacations back to Ohio were taken every year, without exception, until 2017 when she was 91 years old. While the kids were growing, she would load them into the station wagon and drive them solo (Don was working) back to Ohio for a much needed reconnection with old friends and family. She also enjoyed riding the high swings at county fairs and when Jane was 80 years old, she rode the Big Shot Ride in Las Vagas.
Family gatherings with some 30-40 people occurred at least seven times a year, usually hosted at their Woodside home. Those who knew Jane will remember her for her energy and for speaking her mind by “telling it the way she sees it”. Jane would like you to know that her mission here is done. As much as she loved her family and enjoyed the many gatherings, she received an offer she simply couldn’t refuse and her time on earth ended. Although we are no longer graced by Jane’s physical presence, her light will always shine brightly in out hearts. Thank you, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma and Jane for being the heart of our family, for all that you have given us and taught us, and for the comfort, wisdom and welcome you so willingly gave everyone. Your life will continue to inspire us. We love you, always and forever.
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